FHU Men hang 106 in blowout win
For the first time in the 2024-25 season, the No. 6 Freed-Hardeman University Lions eclipsed the century mark in a 106-68 rout of the Reinhardt (Ga.) University Eagles to close out The Show 2024.
The Lions (11-1) flooded the paint to start the matchup with Jayson Nixon, Makai Vassell, and Geraldo Lane all hitting jumpers to start the game 6-0. In a two-minute span, Peyton Law managed six points of his own to set FHU’s lead at 14-6 with 15:35 remaining in the opening half. Adding even more separation, the Lions went on a nine-point run with Phil Horton’s free throws putting the Lions on top 23-8 with 11:37 before intermission. Late in the half, the Eagles would begin to find their stroke, eventually pulling within two possessions before Ryley McClaran’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer – the only of the half for FHU – giving the Lions a 46-35 halftime lead. Beginning the second frame the same way they ended the first, the Lions kept momentum going with McClaran scoring five points in the first two minutes. Reinhardt (5-5) strung together a good run by out-scoring Freed-Hardeman 11-2 with a steal and a score at 11:37 making the FHU lead 66-52. Making offensive waves of their own, the Lions would go on three different 7-0 runs down the stretch with Brian Carter’s layup at 1:58 giving the Lions triple digits. Carter knocked down a triple for FHU’s final points in the 106-68 victory. The Lions dominated nearly every statistical category, shooting 57% to Reinhardt’s 37% while out-rebounding the Eagles 48-25. Peyton Law continued his white-hot start of the season by dropping 26 points to continue his streak of 20+ point games. Now with four straight 20+ point games, Law has met the mark eight times in 12 games this season. Joining Law with double-figures were Phil Horton and Makai Vassell – both tallying 15 points. Brian Carter netted 11 points wile Blake Dean and Ryley McClaran each connected for 10.
Curtis buckets 24, Lady Lions escape Panthers
Back in action for the first time in over a week, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions again used a big second half to ward off the Philander Smith (Ark.) University Panthers for a 64-54 victory.
After the hosts scored the first points of the game, the Lady Lions (10-0) made their presence known from long range with Carissa Curtis bucketing three 3-pointers while Brooklyn Crouch joined her from deep to take a 12-4 lead at 6:11. While FHU relied on their perimeter play, PSU played inside the arc to score 10 unanswered points to stun the Lady Lions by ending the first quarter with the Lady Lions trailing 16-14. The Lady Lion frontcourt headlined the second quarter with Lilly Kee driving into the lane for a jumper to open the quarter before Elli Chumley and Kayle Odom tallied points in the paint. Rachel Satterly connected for an early 3-pointer before sinking a set of late free throws. For every FHU bucket, Philander-Smith (8-4) easily answered. After 20 minutes, neither team held an advantage wth a 29-29 halftime stalemate. FHU began to separate in the third quarter with Odom’s layup falling to open the half before two more Curtis triples helped give the Lady Lions a cushion. Meanwhile, Chumley connected with a layup while hitting three free throws to see the Lady Lions score 11 unanswered points and take a 42-33 lead. The Panthers answered with a 3-pointer before Odom’s jumper in the final minute gave FHU a 44-38 lead with one quarter to go. Curtis continued to stay hot from long range, sinking three more treys in the fourth quarter. Despite a late run by Philander-Smith, FHU held their opponents to just 5-15 from the field in the fourth quarter, helping to secure the 64-54 win.
Despite committing 29 turnovers, the Lady Lions dominated the glass by out-rebounding the Panthers 38-20 including scoring 17 second-chance points. Carissa Curtis went 8-9 from the field: all from beyond the arc to tally 24 points while Kaylee Odom scored 11 points. A team effort at the boards, Rachel Satterly and Elli Chumley led with six rebounds, but nine different Lady Lions pulled down multiple rebounds.
