Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team kept things close the entire first half Saturday afternoon against Central Baptist College, but could not hold off the Mustangs in the second half and were sent home with their tenth loss of the season by a final tally of 85-78.

Despite the loss, the Lions (4-10, 1-6 AMC) received solid contribution from Freshman Kortland Martin, who led FHU on the attack with 20 points after going 8-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from behind the arc. Marcus Baldwin followed close behind with 19 points while James Davis rounded out the scoring for FHU with 14 points.

Andre Nikita and Andy Etienne led Central Baptist (6-1, 4-1 AMC) on the offensive end, each with 15 points, courtesy of a 4-for-8 shooting performance by Nikita and a 5-for-11 night from Etienne. Jon Warren also reached double figures for the Mustangs, as he chipped in 13 points in the win.

The Lions shot 46 percent from the field in the game, but struggled to overcome a 19 percent shooting performance from behind the arc. The Mustangs, on the other hand, found their stride, as they shot 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from behind the arc in the second half to finish the game strong. For the game, the Mustangs shot 46 percent from the field in the win.

With the loss, the Lions fall to 4-10 on the season and 1-6 in conference play. Central Baptist College improves to 6-1 on the season and 4-1 in AMC play with the win.

UP NEXT: The Lions are back in action Tuesday, January 2nd, as they make the trip to Williams Baptist College. Game time is slated for 7:30 PM at Walnut Ridge, Ark.