FHU escapes 3-point barrage to defeat UTS

December 10, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

PULASKI, Tenn. — Despite the (RV) Tennessee Southern FireHawks tallying 14 3-pointers to erase a 13-point deficit, late free throws allowed the Freed-Hardeman University Lions to extend their win streak to nine, claiming victory 72-67.

Hunter Scurlock started the scoring for the FHU Lions (10-2, 7-0 MSC) with a layup before the UTS FireHawks hit the first of many long balls to show off their deep threat. The Lions would open an advantage by utilizing a 6-0 run in the early minutes to hold a 10-5 lead at the 16:42 mark. After a 3-pointer from UTS gave the home team a one-point lead at 9:29, the Lions took off on a 16-2 run to push to a 38-29 lead at the halftime break.

The UTS FireHawks (7-4, 4-3 MSC) showed they were not going away, hitting a triple on their first shot of the half. FHU showed they could be deadly from deep as well, with Scurlock and Ryley McClaran draining 3-point field goals to jump back to a 13-point lead. From there, the FireHawks could not miss from long range, making six 3-pointers across a two-minute span to stun the Lions to tie the game 50-50 with 11:22 left in the contest. Despite the hot shooting from the opposition, the Lions continued to collect buckets in the pain, with Scurlock joining forces with JaQuan Lax with four layups, the latter two coming off of steals. Two more triples from the FireHawks put the home team down by one point in the final minute. 

Hoping to stall for extra possessions, the FireHawks began fouling the Lions to force FHU to make free throws to keep the game out of reach. FHU did just that, going 17-20 from the charity stripe in the game. Lax and McClaran went 2-2 each in the final 60 seconds to cement the final score at 72-67.

The Lions forced 17 FireHawk turnovers, converting those to 18 points.

Ryley McClaran was one point shy of his career high, leading the Lions with 23 points with four steals. Hunter Scurlock followed with a 14-point effort and pulled down a team-high nine boards. JaQuan Lax set his teammates up for success, dishing out four assists. 

Up Next

The Lions will host the top-ranked Thomas More (Ky.) Saints next week. Fresh off of their season's first loss, the Saints enter the Brewer Sports Center 9-1 with a 6-1 mark in Mid-South Conference play. Tipoff in Henderson is Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.