By Dustin Semore
FHU Sports Information Director
Despite the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions coughing up 18 turnovers, a solid night from the field helped lead the Lady Lions to a 62-46 victory over the Tennessee Southern FireHawks.
Freed-Hardeman (10-2, 5-2 MSC) utilized a trio of long balls from Rachel Satterly, KJ White, and Kalea Fleming in the first quarter to jump out to a four-point lead. Undeterred, the UTS squad drove into the lane to bucket eight points in the paint, helping lead the quarter to a 14-13 end with the FireHawks holding the slight edge.
The hoop shrunk for Tennessee Southern (4-6, 2-5 MSC) in the second quarter, going just 1-15 from the floor in the frame, including ending the half on a 0-9 skid. On the other side of the court, Madisyn Baugher’s turns at the free-throw line and good ball movement ending with a 3-pointer from Rees Berkey had FHU jump ahead to a 10-point lead at the break 30-20.
The buckets continued to rack up for FHU in the third quarter while UTS saw their shooting woes continue into the second half, missing their first two attempts before a jumper ended an eight-minute drought. Raegan Purvine’s layup at 2:45 gave the Lady Lions a 43-26 advantage going into the final quarter.
Continuing to show their long-range threat, Fleming started the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, with White and Satterly chipping in with triples of their own. 27 of the Lady Lions’ 62 points came from beyond the arc to help push FHU to the 62-46 win.
The Lady Lions had four players end in double digits, led by Madisyn Baugher’s 13-point, nine-rebound afternoon. Kalea Fleming notched a career-high 11 points, with Raegan Purvine scoring 11 of her own. KJ White was also one rebound shy of a double-double, ending with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Up Next: A tough test awaits the FHU Lady Lions who return home to prepare for the nation’s No. 1 team in the Thomas More (Ky.) Saints. Tipoff from the Brewer Sports Center is set for today, Thursday, December 15 at 5:30 p.m.
