Lee hangs on to upset West Alabama, 71-69

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – In a game were the lead changed hands nine times and was tied five more, Lee scored its last 13 points from the free throw line to defeat West Alabama, 71-69, in Gulf South Conference basketball Thursday at Walker Arena.

The Flames’ win snapped a five-game winning streak for UWA and improved Lee’s record to 9-13 overall and 5-11 in the GSC. The Tigers dropped to 15-9 and 12-6.

After trailing 38-35 at the half, Lee bounced back to lead 55-45 with 8:50 left to play. The Flames outscored the Tigers 22-9 in the first 12:13 of the second half, but West Alabama refused to go away.

Jarell Byrd drew the Tigers to within three points at 58-55 by making two free throws with 4:02 to play. From there UWA took off on a 10-3 run over the next 5:19.

Jared Woolfolk drained a three from the right wing to give West Alabama a 60-58 lead with 2:31 to play. From there the Flames made 13-of-16 from the free throw line.

“That was a big win for Lee and they deserve all the credit,” UWA head coach Mark Downey said. “After they build that lead in the second half, I thought we came back and had them reeling a little. I thought we might come back and put them away, but they took our shot and held on.

“We have won five in a row twice now,” Downey said. “I would like to start another five-game winning streak Thursday.”

West Alabama had a chance to tie the game with 1.7 seconds left, but mishandled the inbounds pass as time expired. Desmond Raymond had put the Tigers in position to win with a pair of clutch buckets in the last 11.5 seconds.

“We had time to catch and shoot there at the end, but we panicked,” Downey said. “I think part of our problem tonight was playing four games in eight days. Our shots were short, we were late on defense and got killed on the offensive boards. Those are products of being tired.”

Lee’s Cory Billingsley scored 24 points, converting 16-of-20 free throw attempts, to lead all scorers. Stedmon Ford was the only other Lee player in double digits with 16.

Raymond scored 23 points to lead five Tigers in double figures. Woolfolk chipped in 13, while Lleon Tillman, Sandy Underwood and Byrd all had 10.

Lee shot 50 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Tigers 35-24, including a 13-3 advantage on the offensive glass.

The Tigers have the weekend off before hosting North Alabama Thursday. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Pruitt Hall.