Parker Suedekum scored 22 points and hit four triples to lead the Lee men's basketball team to a 76-65 win over Union University on Thursday evening from Walker Arena.
In a fight for Gulf South Conference playoff positioning the Flames improved to 14-12 overall and 11-7 in league play. The Bulldogs slip 16-11 on the year and 11-8 in the GSC.
Coach Bubba Smith used an unconventional starting lineup to jump out to an early 8-0 advantage. The Flames held control for much of the opening half before allowing a 7-0 run to the Bulldogs to close out that half up, 35-26.
Union used the second half momentum to pull within two with 15:17 remaining before a 16-5 Flames' run put things out of reach.
"The defensive mindset set the tone for tonight's game," said Smith.
"I thought we were active and got a lot of 50-50 balls and did a nice job on the glass. We played hard, helped each other and rotated well on defense."
Ryan Montgomery added 14 points and eight rebounds while Cody Jones was an efficient 5 of 6 from the field to account for his 14 markers. Duke Evans made the most of his starting assignment and had eight points and seven boards.
"I thought the guys we inserted into the starting lineup did a great job tonight of getting us going and sharing the basketball," added Smith. "Parker made some big shots for us but more than that, I was proud of how he responded to a couple of tough turnovers at the end of the half by coming out focused and ready to go in the second half."
Lee held a 30-23 advantage on the glass and shot a sizzling 58 percent from the field (28 of 48) and 8 of 16 from the 3-point line. The Flames connected on 12 of 13 from the charity stripe.
Terrandus Smith led the visitors with 19 points. Payton Stovall hit three early 3-pointers and finished with 12 points while LiDonta Hicks-Gentry tallied 12 points.
The Flames will hit the road for the final road trip of the season as they visit West Georgia on Saturday at 4 p.m. Lee will be looking for some revenge after letting a lead slip away in falling 70-66 to the Wolves back on Jan. 10 in Walker Arena.
"I thought we held control of the game until the final four minutes in our previous meeting. West Georgia is a really skilled offensive team and they are good defensively so we will need to play with a lot of energy and be strong with the ball but if we do that it should be a good game," concluded Smith.