CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Host Lee used a 26-6 run over the final 11 minutes of the first half as they pulled away to a 78-51 win over the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs Thursday night in the Gulf South Conference opener for both schools.

After a back-and-forth start, CBU (2-4, 0-1 GSC) took a 15-14 lead on a Rachel Lee (Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Christian School) jumper with 11:20 remaining in the half. The Lady Flames (4-0, 1-0) responded with a 26-6 run over the final 11 minutes of the half, taking a 40-21 lead into the locker room after an Erin Walsh jumper as time expired. Lee was 6-of-9 from three-point range during the run.

CBU opened the second half on an 8-0 run capped by a Lee layup that brought them within 40-29 with 17:22 remaining, but the Lady Flames answered with 11 straight and CBU never came closer than 20 again.

Breanna Ridgell (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) paced the Lady Bucs with 20 points. Lee and Taylor Pugh (Memphis, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian HS) added eight each.

Emileigh Swafford led the Lady Flames with 24 points. Walsh scored 19, and Kayla Beavers added 15. Shelby Brown tacked on 10.

The Lady Flames shot 54 percent (27-of-50) for the game, including 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from three-point range. The Lady Bucs shot just 30.8 percent (16-of-52) overall and 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from three-point range. The Lady Flames out-rebounded CBU 35-24, including a 10-9 edge in offensive rebounds, but the Lady Bucs forced 17 Lee turnovers while committing 10.

The Lady Bucs return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. as they visit Shorter. Their next home game is next Thursday night at 5 p.m. as they host Delta State.