By Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion basketball team will open their home schedule tonight as they host No. 4 Bethel (Tenn.) University in a 5:30 PM match up at the Brewer Sports Center.

SETTING THE STAGE

FHU (1-0) is coming into Tuesday's contest off an 87-59 win on the road over Blue Mountain (Miss.) College on Saturday. Brandee Busenlehner and Erika Zurauskaite combined for 53 points as the Lady Lions cruised to a victory in their first game of the season.

The Lady Lions came out firing from behind the arc, led by Senior Brandee Busenlehner, who shot 9 for 12 from three-point range and had 27 points. Erika Zurauskaite also gave FHU a spark on the offensive end as she posted the first double-double of her career as a Lady Lion with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Lions extended their lead even further coming out of the half as the third quarter proved to be the dagger. FHU out-shot Blue Mountain 28-14 in the third quarter to provide a 25 point cushion as they entered the fourth quarter. FHU shot 52 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range compared to Blue Mountain who shot 37 percent from the field. The Lady Lions forced 17 Blue Mountain turnovers, several of which led to easy points on the opposite end of the floor for FHU.

Bethel University (3-0) has opened their season with three convincing wins, including their most recent 62-49 victory over Truett-McConell (Ga.) College on Friday, November 6. The Lady Wildcats shot just 31 percent in the match up after going 23 of 74 from the field; however, they were able to force 16 turnovers, which led to 20 points to provide them with the cushion they needed to close out the Lady Bears.

Jackliann Street led Bethel with 13 points in the win. Cayla Sheets also contributed on the offensive end with 12 points while Madison Steppee had 11. Alexus Hardaway had a game high 11 rebounds in the contest.

LAST TIME THEY MET

FHU faced Bethel twice last season and came away with wins on both occasions. In the first match up last season between the two schools on November 8, the game went down to the wire as Bethel led for a majority of the game as a result of FHU turning the ball over a season-high 18 times to prevent them from pulling away completely until the end. FHU would finish the game strong, putting together a 13-3 run to close the second half and pick up the 65-60 victory.

In the second match up between the two schools last season on November 24, it was a much different story as the Lady Lions would dominate the second half and pick up a convincing 85-52 win over the Lady Wildcats. Taleeah Cross led all scorers with 23 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds. Paige Melville had 19 points and five assists while Grace Alonso de Armino posted another double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Hayley Newby barely missed a double-double of her own in the match up with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Last season, Bethel entered the match up with Freed-Hardeman ranked No. 9 in the NAIA. This season, the Lady Wildcats return a majority of their players from last season and are ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll.

The Lady Lions face an early test tonight as they take on the No. 4 Lady Wildcats in a 5:30 PM match up at the Brewer Sports Center.

COVERAGE

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