HENDERSON — The No. 4 Freed-Hardeman University Lions basketball team picked up a 92-55 victory on Thursday night. FHU out-scored the opposition 50-26 in the key to lead to the win.
It was a slow start for the Lions (4-0), who missed the first four shots they attempted, but a pair of buckets from
Phil Horton knotted the game 4-4. The Firehawks answered with five consecutive points to put UTS ahead for the next nine minutes before
Ryley McClaran's layup at 9:22 sparked a 6-0 run to put FHU on top for good. The Lion defense held strong down the stretch of the first half, allowing the Firehawks to score just three points in the last 5:45. Meanwhile, McClaran dropped back-to-back 3-pointers to herald a 16-3 run to end the first half with the Lions leading 42-26.
Tennessee Southern (1-3) tallied the first three points of the second half, but McClaran sank another long ball.
Jordan Stephens had a jumper at 13:44 to ignite an 8-0 run which saw Makai Vassel score six unanswered points. The longest run of the night came when McClaran's 3-pointer began a turn where the Lions would score 14 unanswered points and ending with a steal and a dunk from
Brian Carter. Another seven-point push at the end of the game helped put the Firehawks out of sight with Carter's jumper in the last minute settling the score at 92-55.
The Lions forced 36 turnovers in the victory, leading to 38 points. Freed-Hardeman grabbed 15 offensive boards and turned those into 21 second chance points. The Lions defense took away 17 steals while the offense had great ball movement leading to 15 assists.
Six Lions ended the night in double figures with
Ryley McClaran going 4-8 from long range to help him to an 18-point total to lead the team.
Peyton Law followed with 14 points while
Brian Carter scored 17.
Makai Vassell made his debut in maroon and white, scoring 11 points and making every shot he took: going 4-4 from the floor and 1-1 from the free-throw line.
Geraldo Lane and
Jordan Stephens each netted 10 in the victory
Phil Horton led at the boards with six rebounds, also collecting three blocks.
Brian Carter led the pressure with four steals.
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Up Next
The Lions have scheduled their toughest test of the season to be with the raucous Homecoming crowd as FHU welcome No. 12 LSU Alexandria to Henderson. Tipoff on Homecoming Saturday, November 9, is set for 3:30 p.m. The Lions will also unveil the 2024 National Championship banner during the festivities.
