HENDERSON — Beginning their quest for a third consecutive Mid-South Conference title, the No. 3 Freed-Hardeman University Lions hosted the Bethel University Wildcats. The Lions were able to force 25 Bethel turnovers with 14 steals in a 90-77 victory.
It was a back-and-forth start for the derby rivals until
Sam Powell's 3-pointer at 16:02 opened a 9-0 run for the Lions (16-1, 1-0 MSC). Though the Wildcats were able to answer with five straight points,
Jayson Nixon tacked on a 3-pointer with
Makai Vassell and
Peyton Law each adding jumpers to give the Lions a 26-16 lead at 8:14. After Powell connected for a triple at 4:10, the Lions would come up empty on the floor for the rest of the half save a dunk for
Geraldo Lane at 1:38. The rest of the time the Lions were comfortable at the charity strip by going 8-8 from the line to end the opening act with a 45-37 lead.
The second half started well enough for the men in maroon and white who saw their lead extend to a game-high 14 points after a jumper from
Phil Horton. But the Wildcats (12-5, 0-2 MSC) slowly battled back, going on a seven point run all while consistently drawing fouls and converting free throws. A free throw at 6:03 brought the lead down to one possession at 69-66. But as quickly as the lead narrowed, the lead extended when FHU scored 12 points to Bethel's three in the span of two minutes. Nixon's 3-pointer with 30 seconds gave the Lions their largest lead at 15 before the horn finished FHU's first MSC game with a 90-77 victory.
The Lions shot 50% from the floor including seven long balls. The Lions scored a season-high 31 points from the charity stripe, going 31-35.
Makai Vassell scored 18 points while only missing two shots. He was 4-5 from the floor while going 10-11 from the free-throw line.
Jayson Nixon was just as effective, scoring 17 points with a perfect 6-6 night at the stripe.
Peyton Law added 14 points in the victory while leading the Lions with five rebounds.
Jordan Stephens led the way with five steals.
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Up Next
A pair of heavyweight await the Lions in the Bluegrass State with both opponents finishing their 2022-23 season in Kansas City. The (RV) Cumberlands Patriots host FHU on January 16 at 6:00 p.m. before the top-ranked Tigers of Georgetown will welcome the Lions on January 18 at 3:00 p.m.
