HENDERSON, TN – The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions (20-11, 11-11)  won in dramatic fashion against the Cumberland University Phoenix (13-16, 8-13) on a rainy Monday night in the Brewer Sports Center, by a final score of 63-58.

The Lady Lion's postseason began with gloominess outside, and few students in the stands as the score quickly rose to 20-12 in favor of the Phoenix at the end of the first quarter with no major events happening. 

Yet, the game picked up in the second quarter as the students filed into the stands, and the Lady Lions ramped up their defensive pressure on the Phoenix and were able to head into the half with a score of 37-27 in favor of the Phoenix. Cumberland guard Tyra Johnson was having an incredible game in the first half as the Lady Lions struggled to defend her quick-release three-point jump shot. She tallied 15 points in the first half, and left FHU stammering for a solution defensively.

The Lady Lions found this solution in excess in the second half as they used Reagen Floyd and KJ White to play aggressive defense continually applying pressure to Johnson, and forcing her to take tougher shots as she only scored seven points in the third quarter. On the back of this incredible individual defense, the team was able to crawl back into the game at a score of 48-42 ending the third.

With the Lady Lions trailing by just six and feeling the postseason atmosphere in the building provided by the students, they came into the fourth quarter with a great fire within the team. Both teams battled for position on the floor and the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. The tensions continued to rise to a climax as KJ White hit the game tying layup with 1:26 left in the game. The Brewer Sports Center erupted in cheers and applause, and only continued this applause as Caroline Chambers hit four clutch free throws across two possessions to give the Lady Lions a one point advantage at 59-58 with 20 seconds remaining in the contest. A few possessions of a, "fouls to give," defensive scenario from the Lady Lions, and a quartet of major game-sealing free throws from Alli Crumpler and Caroline Chambers, the Lady Lions were able to collect the win 63-58.

This win has major implications as FHU hopes to make the NAIA National Tournament, and this win means that they will increase their chances of gaining a bid. The Lady Lions were led by Caroline Chambers, who played a career game, with 24 points, nine rebounds, and went 6-6 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. KJ White and Reagen Floyd were both able to play incredible defense, and added 12 and nine points respectively. FHU now looks for their season to continue strong, as they have massive postseason ties riding on each game. With this win the Lady Lions advanced to the second round of the MSC tournament.