CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Roderick Smith tied his career-high with 26 points, including a 10-for-11 mark at the free throw line, as the Auburn University at Montgomery men's basketball team closed out the 2022-2023 season with an 81-64 loss in the Gulf South Conference quarterfinals.
The Warhawks, the sixth seed, achieved the highest conference tournament seed in the program's NCAA Division II history.
THE TIPOFF
Score: AUM 64, LEE 81
Records: AUM 15-14 (13-11 GSC) | LEE 20-6 (18-6 GSC)
Location: Cleveland, Tenn. | Paul Dana Walker Arena
Series: AUM trails 20-10
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HIGHLIGHTS
- Lee built a 24-12 lead with 11:13 to go in the first half thanks to a 60-percent shooting clip from the floor, but the Warhawks battled back.
- Travis Anderson drained a three-pointer at the 5:38 mark to trim the lead to five and Jalen Gaston hit a driving layup to pull AUM within a possession, 32-29, with a minute to go in the first half.
- The Flames had a response, however, as Jayce Willingham's right-wing three-pointer narrowly beat the shot clock with 29 seconds left in the half as Lee took a 35-29 lead into the half.
- A Sam Youngblood three-pointer and eight points from Roderick Smith helped make it a four-point game out of the locker room for AUM with 16:48 left.
- Tariq Daughton's three-pointer at the 15:01 mark sparked a 19-8 run by the Flames that put the game out of reach for the Warhawks.
NOTABLES
- Smith finished his AUM career tying his career-high with 26 points.
- James Graham blocked one shot on the night, pushing his career total to 127. Graham ranks third in school history in that category.
- Smith also blocked three shots, marking the ninth time he tallied three or more blocks in a game.
- AUM out-rebounded Lee 37-34 but hit just four three-pointers to Lee's 11 on the night.
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