LEBANON, Tenn. - It was almost one for the ages.

The Freed-Hardeman Lions fought to overcome an incredibly slow start in the first half, taking what was a 29 point second-half deficit and trimming it down to eight points, but in the end ran out of gas in a 72-57 loss to No. 24 Cumberland (Tenn.) University on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions (7-5, 1-1) suffered from their worst shooting performance of the season, managing only 26.0 percent (20-for-77) from the field and 25.7 percent (9-for-35) from three-point range. Entering the game, FHU was shooting over 42 percent from behind the arc.

FHU found itself in a hole almost immediately out of the gate as Cumberland built a 17-2 lead, taking advantage of Freed's 1-of-12 start from the field. The Bulldogs led 40-18 at halftime and extended their lead to 29 (49-20) after a 9-0 run early in the second half.

But Freed-Hardeman never quit despite the large deficit and outscored the Bulldogs 33-12 over a 12 minute span to pull within eight (61-53) with 4:14 to go. Cumberland, though, did not allow the Lions to get any closer as the Bulldogs made 11-of-15 free throws in the games final four minutes.

Kristoffer Smith, the only Lion in double figures, scored a season-high 21 points and pulled in 10 rebounds.

FHU returns to Smith-Kirk Court on Monday as the Lions host former TranSouth Conference foe Lambuth (Tenn.) University at 8:00 PM.