CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Auburn Montgomery men's basketball team fell 83-52 at Lee University in game one of their two-game weekend set on Friday, Feb. 26.
 
With the loss, AUM's record falls to 3-13 on the year, while Lee improves to 12-4.
 
Maharrith Jackson led the Warhawks with 14 points and eight rebounds. The senior forward went 5-13 from the floor on the night.
 
Ryan Sanders logged nine points and a career-high five rebounds for the Orange and Black. 
 
The Flames outscored AUM 17-5 over the first eight minutes of action, holding the Warhawks to just two of their nine shots. 
 
Lee continued to apply the defensive pressure for the remainder of the first half. The Flames outscored AUM 15-8, while holding the Warhawks to four of their final 16 shots in the period to lead 32-13 at the break.
 
The Warhawks tallied the first seven points of the second half to bring their deficit to 32-20 at the 17:06 mark but the Flames would respond with 11 unanswered to go up  43-20 with 14:48 to play.
 
The Flames and Warhawks would both settle into a groove offensively over the next 10 minutes. AUM converted on nine of 17 shots, including three of seven three-pointers, but Lee outscored the Warhawks 27-25 over that time period by knocking down nine of 13 field goals to lead 67-47 with 4:03 to play.
 
Lee went on to outscore AUM 16-4 over the final three minutes to give way to the 83-52 final score. 
 
AUM converted on a season-low 19 field goals in the setback, finishing the night at 34 percent (19-55) from the floor. The Warhawks shot 23 percent (4-17) from three and 66 percent (10-15) from the free throw line. 
 
The men's basketball team will play their final game of the 2020-21 season on Saturday, Feb. 27 against the Flames. Tip-off from Cleveland, Tenn. is set for 1:00 p.m. (CST). 
 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram