LEBANON, Tenn. — In their final road game of the 2023-24 regular season, the No. 23 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions were 2-20 from long range, dooming FHU in a 57-44 loss to the Cumberland (Tenn.) University Phoenix.
The first quarter opened with a layup from
Kaylee Odom to give the Lady Lions (19-7, 5-5 MSC) an early lead.
Kelsey Bender would later bucket a layup at 2:06 in what was the final score for FHU in the opening frame. Meanwhile, they watched as Cumberland tallied a set of late triples to end the first period with FHU trailing 11-6.
In the second quarter, Cumberland (9-13, 2-7 MSC) would double the Lady Lions' quarter total by outscoring FHU 18-9. Odom scored a set of layups before K.J. White closed the opening half with a layup to end the first half with the Lady Lions behind 29-15.
Kalea Fleming-Eckerle would connect for FHU's first 3-pointer at 4:05 of the third quarter, but Cumberland would extend their lead to a game-high 17 points by t he end of the third quarter with a 42-25 score.
FHU made things interesting in the fourth quarter, beginning with a 5-0 run before
Brooklyn Crouch's 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 run that pulled the Lady Lions within two possessions. Entering the bonus at 6:48, Cumberland would close the game with free throws to upset the Lady Lions 55-47.
The Lady Lions shot 28% from the floor while the Phoenix were successful on 35% of their field goal attempts. FHU was out-rebounded 45-31 in the loss. Three Lady Lions fouled out to send Cumberland to the free-throw line 36 times where they made 20 free throws. On the other end, FHU was 12-25 from the charity stripe.
Kaylee Odom was the only Lady Lion in double figures, going 6-16 from the field to garner 17 points while falling one rebound short of a double-double with a team-high nine boards.Â
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FHU will wrap up the regular season at the Brewer Sports Center with two more games. The No. 3 Campbellsville (Ky.) University Tigers visit at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17 before FHU will celebrate Senior Day against the Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College Blue Raiders on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m.
