LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Back in action for the first time in over a week, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lion again used a big second half to ward off the Philander Smith (Ark.) University Panthers for a 64-54 victory.

After the hosts scored the first points of the game, the Lady Lions (10-0) made their presence known from long range with Carissa Curtis bucketing three 3-pointers while Brooklyn Crouch joined her from deep to take a 12-4 lead at 6:11. While FHU relied on their perimeter play, PSU played inside the arc to score 10 unanswered points to stun the Lady Lions by ending the first quarter with the Lady Lions trailing 16-14.

The Lady Lion frontcourt headlined the second quarter with Lilly Kee driving into the lane for a jumper to open the quarter before Elli Chumley and Kayle Odom tallied points in the paint. Rachel Satterly connected for an early 3-pointer before sinking a set of late free throws. For every FHU bucket, Philander-Smith (8-4) easily answered. After 20 minutes, neither team held an advantage wth a 29-29 halftime stalemate.

FHU began to separate in the third quarter with Odom's layup falling to open the half before two more Curtis triples helped give the Lady Lions a cushion. Meanwhile, Chumley connected with a layup while hitting three free throws to see the Lady Lions score 11 unanswered points and take a 42-33 lead. The Panthers answered with a 3-pointer before Odom's jumper in the final minute gave FHU a 44-38 lead with one quarter to go.

Curtis continued to stay hot from long range, sinking three more treys in the fourth quarter. Despite a late run by Philander-Smith, FHU held their opponents to just 5-15 from the field in the fourth quarter, helping to secure the 64-54 win.

The despite committing 29 turnovers, the Lady Lions dominated the glass by out-rebounding the Panthers 38-20 including scoring 17 second-chance points.

Carissa Curtis went 8-9 from the field: all from beyond the arc to tally 24 points while Kaylee Odom scored 11 points. A team effort at the boards, Rachel Satterly and Elli Chumley led with six rebounds, but nine different Lady Lions pulled down multiple rebounds. 
 

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