Tim Vaughn scored a three-point shot just 12 seconds in the contest and the Flames never look back as they defeated the University of West Alabama 81-62 on Sunday afternoon at Walker Arena. The Flames led wire-to-wire and handed the Tigers their first Gulf South Conference loss of the season.
The win for the Flames snapped a UWA six game winning streak, and the Tigers gave up more points to the Flames then they had all season to any other opponent.
Lee hit shots early and pushed the lead quickly out to 21-11 thanks to a couple of buckets from JJ Barnes.
UWA never got it closer than that in the first half. The Flames used an 8-0 run in the first half and made it 37-17 with six minutes left.
The second half start the same way as the Flames used a 6-2 run to start the period and kept the lead out in front by over 15 points. UWA didn’t go away and started to make shots. They hit three three-point shots in a row and then made six straight free throws to cut the Lee lead to 72-61. But that was as close as the Tigers would get. Beyuan Hendricks made two free throws, and Tim Vaughn made a layup to push the lead back out to 15 with three minutes left and the Flames held on to earn the win.
Five different Flames scored in double digit point led by Hendricks who had 20. Barnes tied his career high with 18 points. Noah Boler-Kyle and Willie Walton each had 13 while Tim Vuagh scored 11. Lee shot 66% from the floor in the contest (31-51) while UWA was on 32% (19-60). 46 of the 81 points for Lee came in the painted area outscoring the Tigers by 20 in that spot.
The Flames will hit the road for a game on Friday, December 15 at 8:30 PM. They will play the Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks in Montgomery, Ala.