JACKSON, Tenn. - In the early season, efficient shooting has been a major factor in Freed-Hardeman's 4-0 start.

In their opening game of the Rotary Classic, that shooting touch disappeared and ended in a 55-54 loss to NAIA No. 13 St. Xavier (Ill.) University.

Through their first four games, the NAIA No. 3 Lady Lions were shooting 54.4 percent from the field. Tonight, they shot 35.4 percent (17-for-48). St. Xavier shot 43.6 percent and 46.4 percent in the second half in overcoming a 30-25 halftime deficit.

FHU (4-1) led for most of the first half, and built a 39-29 lead early in the second half. However, the Lady Cougars (3-0) followed with a 10-0 run, and neither team would lead by more than two points the remainder of the game. SXU took its first lead of the half on a Kathlyn McClain basket with 3:38 left at 53-51. Freed-Hardeman, however, tied it right back up on a pair of free throws by Jana Cross.

McClain then connected on two free throws to put SXU back up by two; Cross then made 1-of-2 to cut the Lady Cougar lead down to 55-54 with just under a minute to play. FHU's defense forced a miss on the following possession, and Meribeth Boehler grabbed the rebound giving the Lady Lions a chance at the final shot.

The final shot never happened, though, as St. Xavier's defense forced Freed-Hardeman into turning the ball over.

SXU's Erin Hanneman led all scorers with 18 points. Cross paced FHU with 14 points and eight rebounds. Hannah Parsley was the only other Lady Lion in double figures with 11, all coming in the first half.

Freed-Hardeman is back in action tomorrow night at 9:00 PM against No. 6 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University.