Valdosta, Ga. - The College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team dropped another close game here Friday night, falling 101-96 to Lee University in overtime.

The game was part of the Holiday Inn Classic hosted by Valdosta State in The Complex. Lee is a former member of the Southern States Athletic Conference which now competes in the Gulf South Conference along with Valdosta State in the NCAA Division II ranks.

Friday's loss to the Flames was the third in a row for the Mariners (4-5) who have dropped the three games by six points or less.

"We looked good in the box score everywhere except the final score," said Coastal Georgia coach Jesse Watkins. "I'm proud of the guys. We played hard, but we just need to play hard for the full 40 minutes and finish."

Coastal Georgia led the Flames (2-2) 46-38 at halftime. Lee outscored the Mariners 48-40 after halftime to make for the 86-86 deadlock after the 40 minutes of regulation.

In the extra five-minute frame, Lee scored the first points and led throughout, scoring 15 points to 10 by the Mariners.

Lee tied the score with nine seconds to go in regulation on a driving layup by CJ Reese with nine seconds to go.

The Mariners misfired on a three-point basket just before the final horn.

For the game, the Mariners shot 40.8 percent as they connected on 31 of 76 shots. Lee finished shooting 56.2 percent, hitting 41 of 73 shots.

Dominic Early scored 29 points for Coastal Georgia in defeat. Also reaching double figures were Derrick Frye (18), Milton Geddes (15), Corey Harris (12) and Hunter DeRuiter (10).

The Flames got 30 mintes from Keevin Thomas. Three others scored in twin numbers for Lee including Reese who finished with 18.

The Mariners will play host Valdosta State at 4 p.m. Saturday. Lee will face Palm Beach Atlantic. Valdosta State defeated Palm Beach Atlantic 84-77 on Friday.