SPORTS

From Lee Sports Information

Friday, Nov 06, 2009

Cougars take Lee to the Brink, Timely Free Throws Sink Carver
For Lee University men’s basketball coach Tommy Brown, defense is a point of great pride. In the early portion of this season however, the Flames have struggled on the defensive end of the court.
“This is new territory for me as a coach,” Brown explained after his team’s 98-90 win over Carver College on Thursday night. “So far, nobody has stepped on the defensive end of the floor and said ‘I’m not going to let them score on me.’”
The Flames (1-1) struggled against a Cougars (0-3) offense who had mustered just 112 points in their first two contests combined. For the second game in a row, the Flames defenders allowed an opposing player to break the 30 point barrier. “I can’t ever remember that happening to a team I have coached,” said Brown.
But there were bright spots for the Flames as well. In the season opener, Lee’s shooters had a hard time scoring from the perimeter, which in turn made it difficult for them in the paint. Tonight, however, Stephen McClellan led a much improved three-point attack.
“Stephen is a proven shooter,” Brown remarked, “and having him out there tonight really helped our outside game.”
McClellan finished with 14 points, and a team-high four three-pointers. After hitting just 3-of-19 from behind arc against Tennessee Temple, the Flames poured in 12-of-29 from long range on Thursday.
The other area where the Flames showed great improvement on Thursday was at the charity stripe. Lee hit 20-of-25 from the foul line for the game, including 15-for-17 in the second half.
“I was really pleased with our free throw shooting,” Brown remarked. “The guys really stepped up late and did a good job sealing the win for us late.”
Josh Nofflet led the Flames offensively with 22 points, posting his second double-double of the year as well by grabbing a team high 10 boards. Jerel Blocker scored 15, McClellan had 14, Brice Sharp posted 13 points, and Larriquez Cunningham had 11 in the game.
Up next for the Flames is their Homecoming game, when coach Tommy Brown faces his former squad, the Bluefield College Ramblin’ Rams (1-0).
“It will be an incredible challenge,” said Brown. “They are a good team and they make you play good defense in order to beat them.”
Tip-off of the Homecoming tilt is slated for 2:30 p.m.

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