Lee Jr. Scores 1,000th Point In Win Over Greenville

Junior Verdis Lee Jr. scored his 1,000th career point in Wednesday night’s 75-60 win over Greenville College. Lee Jr. came into tonight’s game needing just 9 points to join Westminster’s 1,000 Point Club. With 2:15 left in the first half, Lee Jr. hit a layup to score his 9th point of the night and joined senior Joe James and 18 other Blue Jays in the 1,000 Point Club. He finished the night with 17 points.

After tonight’s win, the Westminster men’s basketball team is now 12-8 overall and 9-4 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) play. They currently sit in fourth place.

The Greenville Panthers took the early lead, but an 11-2 run, jump-started by Lee Jr.’s third jumper of the night, gave the Blue Jays an 8 point lead, 20-12. The Panthers brought the game back within one point, but the Blue Jays held onto the lead. With 2:15 on the clock, the Blue Jays hit a 9-2 run to bring them into halftime with the 40-30 lead.

The Blue Jays kept a healthy lead until the Panthers hit three three-pointers to bring the game within three, 51-48, with 12:41 left in the game. The Blue Jays buckled down on defense and with two made free throws, they had a 9 point lead.

In the final five minutes of play, the Blue Jays outscored the Panthers 8-2, giving the Blue Jays the 75-60 victory.

The outside trio dominated the game and scored 80 percent of the Blue Jay’s points. James scored the game high 25 points after going 10-for-14 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line. Junior Brandon Moore went 4-for-8 from the three-point line, adding 18 points to the mix and Lee Jr. went 7-for-16 from the field, adding 17 points to the win.

Lee Jr. pulled down 8 rebounds and had three blocks and five assists on the night. Moore grabbed 8 rebounds and James had four steals.

The Blue Jays will travel to St. Louis, Missouri this Saturday, February 8, to play Fontbonne University. Tip-off is at 3:00 p.m.