March 20, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Second-seeded Lee University (Tenn.) moved into the second round of the 2008 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship with a 77-67 win Thursday against Langston University (Okla.) at Municipal Auditorium.

Kellen Pickel came off the bench to lead the way with 17 points as the Flames won their 12^th consecutive game. Brad Harris added 12 points, while Freddie Williams chipped in with 11 points and Elmar Kuli-Zade posted 10 points and a team-leading five assists for Lee. As a team, the Flames committed just nine turnovers and held Langston to 35.4 percent shooting from the floor.

Lee, now 32-1 overall, will play on Friday at 8 p.m. CST against either Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) or the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.).

In the first half, Lee raced out to a 14-4 start before Langston battled back. The Lions scored the next 12 points to take a 16-14 lead midway through the half. Lee eventually reeled off seven consecutive points to move in front to stay, 28-21. Langston pulled to within 31-28 at the half, and got within 38-37 on a free throw by Phillip Brooks with 16:01 to play.

The Flames scored the next 14 points and never looked back. The Lions never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Brooks led a balanced attack for Langston with 13 points, while Ralph Hishaw and Geremie Allison each connected for 12 points. Allison handed out three assists, and Alburey Moss grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. Langston closes the year at 15-13.