HENDERSON, Tenn – In a highlight night for the Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team, Senior Kortland Martin surpassed 2,000 career points while the Lions took down defending National Champions Shawnee State University 87-78 in a Thursday thriller at the Brewer Sports Center.

In addition to surpassing the 2,000 career point threshold, Martin led all scorers in the game with 30 points, shooting 15-for-24 on the night. Hunter Scurlock and Ryley McClaran also reached double digits in the match-up, as Scurlock finished the night with 13 points while McClaran dropped in 11 points of his own in the victory.

The first half was a high-flying and back-and-forth affair that featured 15 lead changes, but was surprisingly controlled mostly in the half-court, with neither team recording any fast-break points. Despite being slightly outrebounded, the Lions (10-6, 5-4 MSC) led the defending champs 42-39 entering the break. 

The Lions opened up the second half on a 7-0 run, but the Bears (8-7, 2-6 MSC) countered with a run of their own and reclaimed a 57-55 lead at the first media timeout. It was a more defensive battle the rest of the way, but the Lions were able to pull away during the final five minutes to pick up the 87-78 win.

UP NEXT: The Lions are back in action Saturday, January 15th, as they host No. 10 Thomas More College for a 2:00 PM match-up at the Brewer Sports Center.