HENDERSON — Hosting the Tigers of Campbellsville University, the No. 2 Freed-Hardeman Lions led by just one point at the break, but had a huge second half to put away the Tigers in a 76-56 victory.
Earning his first career start for the Lions, (18-3, 2-1 MSC)
Dalton Colbert made the most of the opportunity by sinking two 3-pointers. FHU found their stroke from long range, scoring their first 12 points from beyond the arc with
Sam Powell's triple giving FHU a 12-9 lead at the 14:14 mark of the first half. For every 3-pointer the Lions made, the Tigers answered with a combined 63 points being bucketed as 3-pointers in the game. Campbellsville held a one-possession lead for a majority of the first half until a dunk from
Jordan Stephens ended the first frame with the Lions clinging to a 36-34 lead.
Neither team managed to score in the first minute and a half of action in the second half, but the Tigers (10-10, 2-2 MSC) continued to hit long balls to stay in striking distance of the Lions. Solid free throw shooting kept the Lions on top until Powell tallied another 3-pointer to give FHU their largest lead of the evening at seven points. Undeterred, Campbellsville scored 11 points in two minutes to reclaim a 52-51 lead with 9:05 to go in the game. Freed-Hardeman began to push away in the final 10 minutes with a free throw from
Makai Vassell opening up an 8-0 run. Powell hit two late threes while Vassell and
Phil Horton put the exclaimation point on a run that saw FHU outscore Campbellsville 25-7 in the last 10 minutes of the contest to see the Lions take the 76-56 win.
Both teams were solid from long range with FHU sinking 11 3-pointers with Campbellsville knocking down 10. The Lions forced 16 turnovers, converting those to 22 points. FHU's transition offense was on full display by scoring 23 fask break points to the Tigers' four.
Four Lions were in double figures, led by
Jayson Nixon's 13 points after going 6-7 from the free-throw line.
Sam Powell was 4-6 from deep to score 12 points while
Makai Vassell connected for 11 points.
Geraldo Lane was 5-7 from the floor to tally 10 points. Nixon also led in rebounds by grabbing seven.
Peyton Law led FHU with five assists while Lane had three blocks.
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Up Next
The Lions continue Mid-South Conference play by hosting the Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson College for a 3:00 p.m. tip on January 25.
