Jeremy Wright, Sports Information Intern

HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Freed-Hardeman University men's basketball team (13-8, 8-7 MSC) got their second-straight win against an in-state rival on Monday night, taking down Bethel University (9-11, 3-11 MSC) 100-93.

To start the game, the Lions got off to a hot start, jumping out to an 18-12 lead less than five minutes into the contest. The Wildcats would come alive midway through the first half and take the lead at 27-26.

The Wildcat lead would stretch to 34-28 as a part of a 10-2 run. With just over four minutes left in the first half, the team would stretch their lead to nine points, which would be their largest lead of the game. The Lions would respond and use a 13-5 run to end the half, but they trailed 53-50 going into halftime.

To start the second half, the team used a quick 5-0 run to regain the lead and the team would not look back. With just under six minutes remaining in regulation, the Lions would stretch their lead to 18 points, which would be their largest lead of the game at 88-70. The Wildcats would remain relentless and cut the lead to four points with 1:45 left to play.

The Lions would get stops, make their free-throws and use a thunderous put-back dunk by Jeremiah Alexander to stretch the lead back to eight points at 95-87 with 43 seconds remaining. The Wildcats would once again cut the Lion lead to four points with 13 seconds remaining at 97-93.

Francis Agbata would split two free-throws to make the score 98-93, and the Lions would get a stop on defense. Kortland Martin put the game on ice at the charity stripe, connecting on two free-throws to help the Lions cross the century mark and secure the win.

Wanya King would lead the Lions in scoring with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, including 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. He also added six assists in the victory.

Alexander and Martin would both score 16 points in the contest, and Martin would dish out six assists. Ryley McClaran added 13 points off the bench, and John Musselwhite rounded out the double-figure scores with a 10-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance.

The Lions will go on another two-game road trip starting on Thursday as the team visits No. 6 Shawnee State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.