Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - Freshman Kortland Martin posted a career-high 28 points Saturday afternoon, as the Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team cruised to a 99-70 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange University at the Brewer Sports Center.

With the win, the Lions avenge an 84-67 loss earlier this season to the Trojans and come away with a convincing payback win, courtesy of hot shooting and solid defensive play.

Martin led all scorers in the game with 28 points, as he shot 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-8 from behind the arc. Martin also knocked down 12-of-14 free throws down the stretch to secure the win for the Lions.

Three other players reached double figures for FHU (8-14, 5-9 AMC) including Marcus Baldwin who fired in 17 points while Ehab Eltayeb chipped in 14 points. Simon Fransis rounded out the scoring for the Lions with 12 points, as he went 2-for-3 from behind the arc in the win.

The Lions shot 52 percent from the field and 46 percent from behind the arc in the game compared to Hannibal-LaGrange (5-14, 5-9 AMC) who shot 45 percent from the field and 35 percent fron behind the arc. The Trojans did not make things easy on themselves, as three Trojan players were called for technical fouls in the contest, which led to easy buckets at the charity stripe for FHU.

The Lions also won the battle on the glass in the match-up, as they out-rebounded the Trojans 42-26, led by Eltayeb, who pulled down nine rebounds in the win. The Lions were solid on the defensive side of the floor, as they forced 16 turnovers and snagged an impressive 12 steals in the win.

The Lions came out firing to start the game, as they jumped out to an early 12-2 lead, courtesy of hot shooting by Baldwin, who contributed the first five points in the contest. An early technical foul on Hannibal-LaGrange sent Martin to the line who knocked down both free throws while Thompson knocked down three free throws of his own after being fouled on a three-point attempt to give FHU the comfortable lead.

The Lions continued to find success on the attack in the first frame, as they led by as many as 11 points at the 37-26 mark with 5:36 remaining in the first half. However, the Trojans would not let things get out of hand, as they responded with an 11-0 run of their own to even things up at 37 apiece with two minutes remaining in the first half. From there, the Lions out-shot the Trojans 7-4 to enter the break up 44-41.

Things remained tight in the opening five minutes of the second half, as the Trojans stayed within reach at the 55-51 mark with 15 minutes remaining in regulation. However, from there the Lions kicked it into another gear, as they out-shot the Trojans 35-6 over the next nine minutes to take a commanding 90-57 with six minutes remaining in the game. From there, the Lions held a comfortable lead the remainder of the way, as they cruised to a 99-70 victory.

With the win, the Lions move to 8-14 on the season and 5-9 in conference play. The Trojans fall to 5-14 on the season and 5-9 in AMC play with the loss.

UP NEXT: The Lions are back in action Thursday, February 1st, as they make the trip to No. 5 Columbia College for a 7:30 PM match-up in Columbia, Mo.