HENDERSON — Despite a slow shooting start by both team, the No. 7 Freed-Hardeman University Lions basketball team found their strike to easily handle the Oakwood (Ala.) University Ambassadors 89-54.

Both the Ambassadors and the Lions (18-3, 5-1 MSC) missed the first five shots they attempted, but Hunter Scurlock and Peyton Law connected for back-to-back layups before Law's 3-pointer at 15:28 gave the Lions a 9-2 lead. Chase Fiddler and Sam Powell followed with a pair of long balls of their own before Phil Horton's dagger at 6:37 put FHU on top by 14 at the 6:24 mark. The Lions would make up for lost time in the final five minutes, going on a 12-0 run to close the first half with a 48-24 lead.

The Lions came out strong in the second half, allowing Oakwood (1-18, 1-9 GCAC) one layup early in the half before speeding off on another eight-point run. Horton, JJ Wheat, and Geraldo Lane each tallied free throws to help give the Lions a 58-26 lead at 16:15. Lax would pad his shooting stats by connecting for back-to-back triples to give the Lions a 33-point edge. With the back end of the bench getting their most playing time of the season, the crowd at the Brewer Sports Center came to life as Christian Stackpole collected a layup before Grigorii Sibilev chased a layup with a dunk. Sibilev finished the game to raucous cheers with a layup to give the Lions their final point and put the bow on the 89-54 victory.

Looking through the team stats, Freed-Hardeman made their shots. Both team attempted just shy of 70 field goals (66 for OU, 68 for FHU); however, the Lions made 35 of their shots to go 51% from the floor. The Ambassadors were successful on 32% of their attempts, converting 21 attempts. The Lions used their transition speed to score 18 fast-break points compared to Oakwood's six. The Lions also showed great ball movement by recording 20 assists to the Ambassadors' nine.

13 of the 14 Lions to hit the hardwood recorded points, led by Phil Horton's 13-point evening. Geraldo Lane, Quan Lax, and JJ Wheat each contributed 10 points. Grigorii Sibilev set a career high point total with six, while Christian Stackpole's layup being his first points in a Lion uniform. Chase Fiddler led the Lions at the boards, grabbing a team-high five rebounds, while Horton tallied a team-high four assists. 
 

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Up Next

The Lions return to Mid-South Conference play against an old rival in the Bethel (Tenn.) University Wildcats. Tipoff from McKenzie's Crisp Arena is set for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.