LAKE WELLS, Fla. — Kelsey Bender matched her career-high of 19 points to help lead the No. 24 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions to a 56-43 victory over the Royals of Warner (Fla.) University.
The Lady Lions' (14-2) defense started the game strong, allowing just two points in the first quarter. FHU forced bad shots, with Warner going 1-11 in the first quarter, including an 0-8 run down the stretch.
Kaylee Odom pushed the offense in the first 10 minutes, bucketing eight points to give FHU a 15-2 lead after the first quarter.
Warner (5-7), began to find the hoop in the second quarter, with a jumper at 4:47 cutting the Lady Lion lead to single digits.
Rachel Satterly tallied a triple before Bender ended the first half with a layup to see FHU lead 27-13.
The third quarter was a big one for FHU from the charity stripe, going 7-8 from the free-throw line. With additional layups from Odom, Bender, and
KJ White, the Lady Lions led 40-26 going into the final quarter.
Bender joined Satterly and
Brooklyn Crouch in the fourth frame with 3-pointers to give FHU the 56-43 win.
The Lady Lions forced 22 turnovers in the win, converting those to 27 points.
Kesley Bender tallied her first career double-double with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds while also posting a career-high five steals.
Kaylee Odom followed with 12 points and six boards.
KJ White led the Lady Lions with four assists.
Up Next
FHU wraps up the 2023 half of their season, taking another extended break to prepare for the defense of the Mid-South Conference title. The Lady Lions will host Cumberland (Tenn.) University on Thursday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m.
