Box Score KANSAS CITY, MO. - Despite holding a six-point first half lead, the Freed-Hardeman Lions fell, 92-79, to the Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University Cougars in the first round of the Buffalo Funds NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Wednesday morning.

Azusa scored the first six points of the second half to tie the game. With 11:50 to go in the second half, Freed-Hardeman went up 56-54. It was, however, the last time the Lions led in the game. With just under 10 minutes remaining, Kyle Teichmann was assessed his fourth foul of the game when he was called for a technical. He played less than half of the game due to foul trouble than began early in the game.

Reggie Owens, an Azusa transfer from Memphis' Southwest Tennessee Community College, led all scorers with 24 points. He also had six rebounds. Danny Nugent had 18 points; Marshall Johnson, 15; and David Stafford, 10, for the Cougars.

Senior Cedric Austin led the Lion attack with 19 points, including 5-for-8 shooting from the arc. Anthony Sampson shot 50 percent from the floor, including 3-for-3 from 3-point land. He ended his junior season with 17 points. Senior Jesse Moulton ended his career with 11 points, hitting 3-of-6 3-pointers.

FHU faltered at the free throw line, hitting 6-of-13 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Azusa made a living at the line shooting 30 free throws, hitting 22 of them.

Senior Brian Pearson was recognized prior to the game as Freed-Hardeman's Champion of Character representative.

The Lions ended their season with a 22-12 record. They have made it to the national tournament two out of the last three years. Coach Jason Shelton said, "I am proud of these five seniors and how they have brought the team to this point." In addition to Moulton, Austin, and Pearson, two seniors, Ken Bingham and Vincent Barnes, were injured during the regular season.

Story by Nancy Bennett