SALINA, Kan. — The 2023-24 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions saw their season come to a close Friday night in the first round of the 2024 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Prestented by Ballogy. Despite leading by one at the half, the Lady Lions fell to the Mayville State (S.D.) University Comets 87-58.

The Lady Lions (19-11) got on the board after a pair of Rachel Satterly free throws was followed by a 3-pointer from the sophomore.On the other side of the floor, Mayville State's Jordan Zrust hit back-to-back 3-pointers to begin her 43-point output. Ellie Chumley converted a three-point play before Kaylee Odom's buzzer-beating jumper ended the opening frame with the Lady Lions trailing 14-12.

The 3-pointers began to drop for the Lady Lions when Satterly's triple to start the quarter put FHU on top of the Comets (25-3) by one point. Though MSU would hit a set of 3-pointers to jump out to a six-point lead, Carissa Curtis would cap an 8-0 run at 3:36 to give FHU the lead 30-27. KJ White's layup made the score that ended the first half at 32-31 in favor of the girls in maroon.

The second half was all Comets with he Lady Lions unable to convert a field goal until Odom's jumper at 5:29. Curtis was able to connect for a triple to close the half trailing 58-42. Curtis was able to add five more points in the fourth quarter, but the Comets' second half was too much to overcome, ending the year in an 87-58 defeat.

FHU's bench grabbed 20 points to MSU's seven, but the Comets wnet 28-32 from the charity stripe while the Lady Lions were 9-12.

Kaylee Odom led FHU with 15 points, while Rachel Satterly's 4-10 day from long range ended with 14 points. Carissa Curtis chipped in with 11 points. Elli Chumley and Raegan Purvine teamed up to grab a team-high six rebounds each. KJ White gave out a team-leading six assists and two steals.