Lee Men Beat Unbeaten Valdosta State 71-70

  • Saturday, December 15, 2018

Thanks to a late rally and smothering defense throughout the Lee men's basketball team knocked off previously unbeaten and fifth-ranked Valdosta State, 71-70 on Saturday afternoon from Walker Arena.

The Flames trailed by eight at the under eight media timeout before freshman Quay Kennedy hit a couple of clutch 3-pointers and Ryan Montgomery brought down the house with an emphatic put back slam for two of his team-high 21 points.

Valdosta State had an opportunity to take the lead down one with 10 seconds remaining but the Flames forced a traveling violation. Lee missed the front-end of a one-and-one allowing the Blazers one last desperation shot from just inside the half-court line that just rimmed out.
 
Montgomery led the way with 21 points on 10 of 11 shooting from the field to go along with nine rebounds. Colton Blevins played 34 minutes and scored 17 points while also grabbing nine rebounds, three on the offensive glass. Kennedy finished with 12 points and three rebounds off the bench. Junior point guard Parker Suedekum had eight points while Jones added seven points, five rebounds and swiped three steals.

"Our guys really answered down eight with under eight to play and never gave up," said head coach Bubba Smith. "We thought if we kept contesting shots on defense and moved the ball offensively and got Colton some touches that we would have some opportunities and we did and we took advantage of them. Quay hit some big shots from us and he has a great demeanor for a freshman in those moments. Obviously Ryan played a huge role for us and Colton (Blevins) didn't come out in the second half and battled for several tough rebounds down the stretch."

The Blazers came into the contest averaging 98.8 points per game. The Lee defense, anchored by senior guard Cody Jones allowed Valdosta to shoot just 41 percent from the field and 28 percent from beyond the arc.

Beau Justice led the Blazers with 17 points but came into the game averaging 24.8. Darrell Jones added 15 points while Greg Zuppas (13) and Keshawn Ingram (12) were also in double-figures.

Lee knocked off the high-powered Blazers despite 21 turnovers and hitting just four 3-pointers. The Flames were very efficient in the paint however, scoring 46 points and shooting 29 of 57 (51 percent) from the field.

"This was really a great team effort and once again it was established on the defensive end which is what we are all about," added Smith. "We expect to compete at a high level in this league and I know our guys will be ready to get right back to work on Monday against a physical West Florida club."

The Flames, winners of four straight overall, remain unbeaten in Gulf South Conference play as they improve to 3-0 and are now an even 5-5 overall. The loss drops the Blazers to 9-1 and 2-1 in league play.

Saturday's win was the first win for the Flames over the Blazers since Jan. 31, 2015.

"I had never beaten Valdosta so I think I came in with a chip on my shoulder and our team came in with a chip on our shoulder and we were ready to play," noted Montgomery, a junior forward from Chattanooga. "We've had a lot of close losses this season so we were prepared for this moment. This is a good conference win but we are already focused on getting the next one."

Lee will host West Florida on Monday at 7 p.m. before heading into the Christmas Break. The Argonauts are 0-3 in the GSC after falling to UAH on Saturday, 62-52.


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