Opening the Mid-South Conference schedule, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions hosted their long-time rival in the No. 16 Bethel University Wildcats.
There was plenty of long-range action in the first quarter. After Kayle Odom began Freed-Hardeman’s (17-0, 1-0 MSC) scoring with a set of layups, Rachel Satterly zeroed in with three consecutive 3- pointers. Jenna Satterly helped the cause by ending the frame with a layup to move to the second quarter tied 15-15.
J. Satterly and Kelsey Bender got the second quarter rolling, but the Bethel (15-1, 1-1 MSC) offense answered right back. Freed-Hardeman would hit three straight free throws before Brooklyn Crouch netting a 3-pointer to put the Lady Lions on top 25-19. R. Satterly wrapped up the first half with a jumper to take a 31-28 lead into the locker room.
An Odom layup to start the third quarter was followed by an old-fashioned three-point play for R. Satterly to push FHU’s lead to six. The Wildcats would go on a run to pull within a single point, but Carissa Curtis splashed home a 3-pointer at 7:01 to keep FHU’s lead at 39-35. Bethel would finally flip the script to take the lead with a layup at 4:24 before trading the lead for the next three minutes. Odom had a layup and a free throw to end the third quarter with a 49-47 lead.
The Lady Lions have leaned on their play in the fourth quarter most of the season, and the conference opener was no different with Odom, Crouch, and Curtis teaming up to score seven straight points to open the quarter. Odom joined Bender in the third minute to help give FHU their largest lead at 64-54. Bethel was undeterred by hitting two late 3-pointers to pull within one point with 14 seconds to go. R. Satterly and Odom hit late free throws to ice the 68-65 victory.
