BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A new Mid-South Conference champion will be crowned in 2023-24 as the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions fell short in their bit to repeat, falling to the (RV) Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College Blue Raiders 63-59.

Freed-Hardeman (19-10, 5-7 MSC) jumped out to a quick lead after Kaylee Odom connected for a layup before collecting eight more points in the first quarter. An early 3-pointer from Lindsey Wilson kept the Blue Raiders on top, with Odom's layup in the final seconds finishing the first quater with FHU trailing 15-14.

A hot start from Lindsey Wilson (19-10, 6-6 MSC) in the second quarter had the Blue Raiders sandwich a pair of 3-pointers around a jumper to extend their lead to nine points. Kalea Fleming-Eckerle joined Odom to score six straight points for the Lady Lions before Brooklyn Crouch ran the floor to bucket a layup to give the Lady Lions a 29-28 edge. After trading buckets, FHU led 30-29 at the break.

Fleming-Eckerle's triple to start the second half gave FHU a three-point lead, but LWC's Taylor Guess would score nine straight points to help lead the Blue Raiders to a 42-36 edge. Odom's late free throws made the score 43-40 at the end of three quarters. 

The final quarter featured FHU and LWC taking a combined 28 trips to the free-throw line. Despite drawing even twice in the fourth quarter, the Lady Lions were unable to pick up the win in the 63-59 loss.

FHU was 3-17 from beyond the arc while LWC were more selective with their 3-point attempts going 5-9. FHU dominated the paint, scoring 32 points to the Blue Raiders' 14.

All eight Lady Lions who touched the floor registered points, while Kaylee Odom pushed the offense by scoring 24 points. KJ White and Rachel Satterly both pulled down five rebounds, while White led FHU with two assists. 
 

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Up Next

The fate of the Lady Lions rests in the hands of the tournament selection committee, with FHU hoping to receive an at-large bid to the 2023-24 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship. The selection show will be on the NAIA's Youtube page beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7.