While the rest of us were on Christmas break, the men’s basketball team was pulling off one of the biggest wins in school history against NCAA Div. I school East Carolina University (ECU). They knew the 5th ranked Flames had serious game, which was evidenced by the 42-42 tie at half time. The game appeared to be ECU’s for much of the second half, but with strong play inside and with 40 seconds left, Lee found itself down 75-72. And when Lee needed three quick points Brad Harris was there to deliver. He drained a three pointer, one of six for the game, igniting the Flames to a 75-75 score.

ECU then went for a jump shot that rimmed out and Elmar Kuli-Zade threw a strike to Ricky Harper, who laid it in with two-tenths of a second left on the clock, making the score 77-75. The stunned Pirates in-bounded the ball but it was swatted away to seal the victory.

“We played good defense, and played well in the second half,” said junior center Harold Griffin who had nine points and ten rebounds. The Flames were led in scoring by Brad Harris who had 21 points and was followed by Freddie Williams who had 18. The Pirates, meanwhile, were lead by Jamar Abrams, who had 18-points along with six rebounds.

The Flames then rolled off two road victories and two home wins to give them a 14-0 record going into the game against Berry College on January 17. It turned out to be the most challenging conference game the Flames have had to face.

Berry jumped out early and led 20-8 three minutes into the game. Senior guard Cole Rose kept the Flames close in the first half with solid play. The second half belonged to Brad Harris who hit multiple shots that either tied the game or gave Lee the lead. Paco Diaw hit a huge free throw that put the Flames up 93-90 with 20.5 seconds left. Lee then had to make one more defensive play to seal the victory.

The Vikings’ Jesse Mullens attempted a three pointer to tie the game but the mammoth Desmond Blue blocked the shot before it even left Mullens’ hands. The buzzer sounded and Lee was still perfect.

The Flames have eight games in February, six of which are conference match-ups and another at archrival Tennessee Temple.