HENDERSON — Opening the Mid-South Conference schedule, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions hosted their long-time rival in the No. 16 Bethel University Wildcats. FHU's speed and ball movement helped them stay perfect with a 68-65 victory.
There was plenty of long-range action in the first quarter. After Kayle Odom began Freed-Hardeman's (17-0, 1-0 MSC) scoring with a set of layups,
Rachel Satterly zeroed in with three consecutive 3- pointers. On the flip side, the Wildcats were just as deadly by draining three of their own to take a two-point lead with 1:33 remaining in the quarter.
Jenna Satterly helped the cause by ending the frame with a layup to move to the second quarter tied 15-15.
J. Satterly and
Kelsey Bender got the second quarter rolling, but the Bethel (15-1, 1-1 MSC) offense answered right back. Freed-Hardeman would hit three straight free thrown before
Brooklyn Crouch netting a 3-pointer to put the Lady Lions on top 25-19. The Wildcats would string together late points to draw within one, but R. Satterly wrapped up the first half with a jumper to take a 31-28 lead into the locker room.
An Odom layup to start the third quarter was followed by an old-fashioned three point play for R. Satterly to push FHU's lead to six. The Wildcats would go on a run to pull within a single point, but
Carissa Curtis splashed home a 3-pointer at 7:01 to keep FHU's lead at 39-35. Bethel would finally flip the script to take the lead the a layup at 4:24 before trading the lead for the next three minutes. Odom had a layup and a free throw to end the third quarter with a 49-47 lead.
The Lady Lions have leaned on their play in the fourth quarter most of the season, and the conference opener was no different with Odom, Crouch, and Curtis teaming up to score seven straight points to open the quarter. Odom joined Bender in the 3rd minute to help give FHU their largest lead at 64-54. Bethel was undeterred by hitting two late 3-pointers to pull within one point with 14 seconds to go. R. Satterly and Odom hit late free throws to ice the 68-65 victory.
The Lady Lions shot 45% from the floor, including going 6-14 from beyond the arc. The Lady Lions tallied 16 fast break points while doling out 13 assists.
Kaylee Odom led the scoring by dropping a season-high 21 points.
Rachel Satterly was 3-6 from deep to help her score 16 points while
Brooklyn Crouch connected for 11.
Kelsey Bender led at the glass with 10 rebounds while Crouch led the way with six assists and two steals.
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Up Next
The road gets no easier as the Lady Lions have a pair of top-10 away games. They first face the No. 7 Cumberlands Patriots on January 16 at 4:00 p.m. before visiting the No. 10 Tigers of Georgetown for a 5:00 p.m. tipoff on January 23.
