Four Lions in double figures as FHU trounces #24 Cumberland

December 8, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — After two wins in which the Lions hoped to improve their shooting percentages, Freed-Hardeman's men did just that, hitting 54% from the floor and knocking down 11 3-point field goals to comfortably take down the No. 24 Cumberland (Tenn.) University Phoenix 88-72.

Freed-Hardeman (9-2, 6-0 MSC) were in trouble early, giving up two baskets underneath to the Phoenix before lighting up their side of the scoreboard. After a dunk from a Cumberland forward, the Lions found themselves in an 8-2 hole with 16:27 remaining before the break. After Geraldo Lane made a free throw, the Lions capitalized on back-to-back layups on fast breaks to swap the lead to hold a two-point edge just beyond the midway mark of the half. Cue Ryley McClaran. The sophomore hit three consecutive 3-point field goals including one that drew a foul. After his free throw completed the rare four-point play, the Lions held a 25-16 lead. FHU then spread the ball around, with Phil Horton's 3-pointer preceding a dunk from Peyton Law. After Lane hit two more free throws, the Lions went to intermission leading 45-31.

It was a tough start to the back half of the contest for the Phoenix, (6-5, 3-3 MSC) who missed their first seven field goal attempts of the half. To Freed-Hardeman's credit, Law and McClaran continued to light the net on fire with 3-pointers, with McClaran's triple at 16:43 breaking his personal record with six long balls. Lane and Law slammed down monster dunks to give momentum to a Lion team already comfortably ahead. It was Alex Rush's layup at 12:57 that gave the men in maroon their largest lead - 35 - with a 72-39 score. With FHU's starters out of the game, the Phoenix started hitting shots and forcing turnovers late to settle the score with FHU earning their eighth consecutive victory 88-72.

The Lions held the advantage in nearly every statistical category, out-rebounding the Phoenix 40-31 while swatting away six attempts to Cumberland's two blocks. 

Ryley McClaran's 21 points led the Freed-Hardeman offense, with Peyton Law bucketing a season-high 16 points. JJ Wheat's 14 points matched his season's best performance, while Geraldo Lane helped his offense with 11 points. Law was one rebound shy of a double-double, pulling down a team-high nine boards. JaQuan Lax continues to set his teammates up for success, sending out five assists to lead his squad. 

Up Next

The Lions will next put their perfect league record to the test against the UT Southern FireHawks. Tipoff from Pulaski's Curry Athletic Center is set for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10.