Jeremy Wright, Sports Information Intern

HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Freed-Hardeman University men's basketball team (9-3, 4-2 MSC) fell 85-71 to Thomas More University (7-3, 5-3 MSC) on Thursday night in their return home after a three-game road trip.

To start the game, both teams came out firing on all cylinders, as neither team could get an advantage. Hot shooting from Kortland Martin early in the first half would give the Lions a six-point lead. The Saints would again get hot and ride the hot shooting of Reid Jolly and his 17 first-half points to take a 43-38 lead going into the halftime break.

To start the second half, the Saints would continue their hot shooting to extend their lead to as many as 12. The Lions would remain resilient, as the team was able to cut the lead to as little as five points. More hot-shooting spurts by the Saints would stretch the lead to 18 with under five minutes to play to ultimately put the game away. The Lions cut the lead to as little as 12 before falling by 15.

The Lions were led in scoring by Wanya King in his return from a three-game absence with 20 points.

Jeremiah Alexander notched a 13-point performance, and Luka Filipovic put together a 10-point,11-rebound performance for the double-double.

The Lions will conclude a two-game homestand on Saturday as they host No. 7 Shawnee State. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at the Brewer Sports Center.