CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team was defeated at Lee on Thursday night, 76-65. The Bulldogs dropped to 16-11 overall and 11-8 in Gulf South Conference play. The Flames improved to 14-12 overall and 11-7 in conference play. 

Lee jumped ahead of the Bulldogs by eight points to start the game, but Payton Stovall scored Union's first 10 points to tie the game up. The Flames then went on a 13-2 run to take back the lead. Lee stayed ahead throughout the first half, but LiDonta Hicks-Gentry had seven unanswered points to close the half, bringing  the Flames lead to nine points.  To start the second half, Union outscored Lee 11-5 to close the gap to two points. Lee responded with a 13-3 run to secure their lead for the rest of the game. The final score was 76-65. 

Lee out-rebounded Union 30-23. The Bulldogs forced 18 Lee turnovers and committed only 13. 

Union was led by Terrandus Smith with 19 points. Stovall and Hicks-Gentry both had 12 points. Union was 40 percent from the field, 36 percent (9-25) from long range, and 66 percent (12-18) from the foul line. 

Lee was led by Parker Suedekeum with 22 points. Cody Jones and Ryan Montgomery both had 14 points for the Flames. Lee was 58 percent from the field, 50 percent (8-16) from three-point range, and 92 percent (12-13) from the foul line. 

Up next for Union is their last regular season conference match up against Christian Brothers University at Union on February 28 at 7:30 p.m.

-UNION-