*Original score was 79-57. Due to a statistical error, stats and the recap have been reflected to show corrected 80-57 score on 12/12
HENDERSON — Despite holding a single-point halftime lead, the No. 3 Freed-Hardeman University Lions used a 46-point second half to propel them to a 80-57 victory over the Central Baptist (Ark.) College Mustangs.
Rico Sain got the game started in style for FHU (13-1) with a layup before a dunk after a steal put the Lions on the board. The guests then scored nine of the next 12 points to take a two-point lead before the schools traded leads until CBC had a five-point swing to lead 17-13 just under halfway through the opener.
Blake Dean then stepped up for a triple that opened a nine-point run for the Lions that ended with a
Phil Horton 3-pointer. For the remaining eight minutes of the half, neither team would lead by more than two possessions. With under one second left in the half,
Rodney Henderson hit both of his free throws to turn a one-point deficit into a one-point lead the Lions carried into the break, 33-32.
Coach
Drew Stutts' halftime sermon was well-received as Horton and
Sam Powell began the second frame with back-to-back 3-pointers to spark the Lions to a 12-point run while holding Central Baptist (3-8) scoreless across the first 4:42 of the second half. FHU's defense held firm, forcing 10 second-half turnovers and scoring 16 points off of those.
Lane Lauderbaugh asserted dominance in the paint, tallying back-to-back layups to push FHU to a 50-36 lead with 13:00 left in the game. Horton and Sain would later slam home a set of dunks after Mustang turnovers before Lauderbaugh's layup with 2:39 remaining gave the Lions their largest lead at 29 points. Horton's dunk at 1:00 was the only field goal in the last two minutes of the game with CBC scoring eight from the charity stripe in that span, but FHU's big second half was enough to secure the 80-57 victory.
A physical game, FHU and CBC combined for 41 points from the free-throw line. FHU's depth helped to the tune of 36 bench points while the Lions outscored the Mustangs 40-10 in the paint.
Lane Lauderbaugh led FHU with 18 points while
Phil Horton was hot on his heels with 16 points.
Sam Powell extended his double-figure points streak to eight games with a 13-point effort while
Rico Sain tallied 10. Lauderbaugh led FHU with six of their 37 rebounds while Sain collected four of FHU's 12 steals.
Jailen Anderson recorded four helpers in the victory.
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Up Next
The Lions have one more contest in the 2025 calendar year, visiting Johnson (Tenn.) University on December 17 before flipping the calendar and traveling to Faulkner (Ala.) University on January 3. FHU then begins their Mid-South Conference slate by hosting the No. 13 Georgetown Tigers on January 8 then the No. 9 Cumberlands Patriots on January 10.
