ROME, Ga.- Playing what coach Tommy Brown described as his team's best overall of the season, the Lee men's basketball team upset No. 1 seed Auburn Montgomery in the championship final of the SSAC tournament Saturday night, 85-70.
The Flames not only claimed the championship, but also improved their overall record to 26-7 on the year and improved their chances for a better draw in the upcoming NAIA tournament in Kansas City in some 10 days. AUM dropped to 25-6 on the year. The Senators will also join Lee in the NAIA National Tournament.
With All-SSAC tournament performer, Stephen McClellan blistering the nets from 3-point range, Lee jumped to a 41-35 lead at halftime and never trailed in the impressive victory. McClellan finished the night by making 6-of-8 3-point attempts and posted a 20-point outing.
However, the transfer from UT-Chattanooga had plenty of help on this victorious evening at Shorter College. Lee placed five players in double-figure scoring. Elmar Kuli-Zade, also a member of the All-SSAC tournament team, registered another brilliant performance with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Harold Griffin, who had been scolded for not shooting the basketball when open underneath, found the mark in the second half and recorded a double-double, 14 points and 12 rebounds. Paco Diaw came within one rebound of a double-double. The senior finished with 13 points and nine boards. He also registered two assists.
Junior Josh Nofflet, who has been superb over the last two months, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. In Saturday's win, Nofflet scored 10 points in the second half. He also captured four rebounds. Again, coach Brown's reserves performed admirably. Chad James only scored two points but he nabbed two rebounds and dished off five assists. Joe Fulp, Jeff Barnhart and Caleb Skogen also played an important role.
The Flames were consistent across the board. They shot 60 percent from the field (31-of-52). They were almost as good from 3-point range, converting 10-of-18. At the line, the Flames knocked down 13-of-18 attempts. Lee out-rebounded the Senators 40-17.
On the other hand, the Senators shot just 38 percent against Lee's stingy defense and only 31 percent from 3-point range. AUM managed to stay close by connecting on 26-of-34 free throws. Robert Johnson paced the Senator's three-men scoring attack. He had 23 points and seven rebounds. He was named to the five-men all-tournament team. Kip Small joined Johnson on the all-tourney team. He had 21 points, making 7-of-11 shots from the field. Quadavious Brown made some big shots for the losers. He finished with 17 points.
