HENDERSON — In the final game of the first classic of the season, the No. 20 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions tallied 41 bench points to top the Bearcats of Brescia (Ky.) University 64-47.

FHU (4-1) used a late push in the first quarter to create space. The Bearcats were able to bucket six points to take an 8-4 lead, but a KJ White 3-pointer a 5:58 sparked a 12-0 run to keep the Bearcats off the board for the remainder of the quarter, with Brooklyn Crouch's free throw with 21 seconds remaining giving the Lady Lions a 16-8 advantage.

A 3-pointer from Brescia (2-1) was followed by a mid-range jumper to pull the Bearcats within one possession, but a turnover followed by a 3-pointer from White shifted momentum back the Lady Lions' way. Crouch would tack on 10 more points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers to help FHU charge into the locker room with a 34-19 halftime lead.

Neither team had an edge in the third quarter, after back-to-back layups from Brescia was followed by the Bearcats and Lady Lions trading 3-pointers. White and Kalea Fleming-Eckerle both tallied two to help FHU to a 48-35 lead moving into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was comprised of free throws and 3-pointers for the Lady Lions, with Crouch knocking down three more triples in addition to a 3-pointer from Katie Arms to give the Lady Lions their second home win 64-47.

FHU tallied 12 long balls in the win, with the Lady Lion bench scoring 41 points to the Bearcat bench's 13.

Brooklyn Crouch was 7-11 from the floor - including 5-7 from deep - to lead all scorers with 21 points. KJ White followed with 13 points. Elli Chumley and Kelsey Bender each grabbed five rebounds while Crouch also led the team with five assists.
 

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FHU will take a week off to prepare for a rematch with UT Southern for homecoming. Tipoff from the Brewer Sports Center is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11. For a full schedule of homecoming events, visit fhu.edu/homecoming