By: Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director
The No. 24 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions continue their strong 2024 start, topping the (RV) Bethel (Tenn.) University Lady Wildcats 65-50 Saturday afternoon.
After the Lady Lions (16-2, 2-0 MSC) watch as the opposition connected for a pair of 3-pointers, Raegan Purvine’s triple began a 14-0 run that ended the same way it began when Purvine’s 3-pointer put the Lady Lions on top 16-6 with 2:17 remaining in the first quarter. In the waning seconds of the quarter, Bethel tallied four free throws to narrow the gap to an 18-12 lead after the first period.
FHU continued their good shooting into the second frame, with Rachel Satterly netting a 3-pointer before she and KJ White hooped layups to give FHU a 13-point edge. A 3-pointer from the Wildcats (13-4, 0-1 MSC) was the only field goal made by the purple and gold in the second quarter. Meanwhile, The Lady Lions moved the rock well to out-score Bethel 20-7 in the second period to hold a 38-19 halftime lead.
Again the third quarter did not see much in the way of field goals from Bethel, going 5-13 from the floor; however, they took advantage of the charity stripe, going 8-8 from the line. The Lady Lions saw Kelsey Bender collect four points from the free-throw line before a layup at 3:14 put FHU on top 51-35. Finishing the period strong, FHU would score eight unanswered points to end the quarter ahead 59-37.
The Lady Lions were quiet in the final quarter, collecting just six points; however, the large lead was enough to stem off a 9-0 run late by Bethel to close the door on the 65-50 victory.
FHU forced 18 Bethel turnovers, making the opponents pay with 16 points off of those turnovers. FHU continues to shine in assists, with the team dishing out 13 assists to Bethel’s two.
KJ White was two boards shy of a double-double, collecting 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Kelsey Bender led the FHU scoring with 13 points, while Raegan Purvine had 10 points. Purvine and Bender led the assist column with three helpers each.
Up next Freed-Hardeman will take the week to review and prepare for the next leg of Mid-South play when they visit the Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College Blue Raiders on Thursday, January 16, tipping off from Columbia, Kentucky, at 5:30 p.m.
