FHU bounces back with big win over Wilberforce

December 17, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — In their first-ever meeting, the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions were tested early by the Wilberforce (Ohio) University Lady Bulldogs, trailing by two at the end of the first quarter and leading by four at the break. FHU turned things around in the second half to pick up their season's 11th victory 69-46.

Each time the Lady Lions (11-3, 6-3 MSC) scored in the opening quarter, the Bulldogs were there to answer. FHU saw KJ White's layup at 4:27 give them a 14-11 lead. But the ladies in maroon and white were stunned by a late 3-point attack from the Bulldogs, with the guests knocking down back-to-back triples to leapfrog the lead with Wilberforce leading 17-14 at 2:52. FHU would sink four free throws to close the quarter, but a third long ball from the Bulldogs set the opening quarter score at 20-18 favoring Wilberforce.

It was a cold second quarter for both teams, with Wilberforce (2-11, 0-9 MSC) missing six straight jumpers in the middle minutes, and the Lady Lions going 4-14 from the field. Those buckets for the Lady Lions were pivotal when Rachel Satterly's 3-pointer gave FHU the lead they would maintain for the remainder of the Mid-South Conference contest. Kalea Fleming knocked down a 3-ball to give FHU a six-point edge. A late jumper from Wilberforce sent the teams to intermission with a 31-27 score with FHU on top.

The third quarter has been the turning point for the Lady Lions all season, with FHU averaging bucketing 18 points. For FHU on Saturday night, it was a 22-point frame while holding the Bulldogs to five points in the penultimate frame. After Wilberforce opened the quarter with a shot attempt, FHU would score eight points at the same time their defense would clamp down to force three straight turnovers before the Bulldogs could get a shot off. Satterly kept her game hot by tallying 10 points in the quarter, while Kelsey Bender went on a tear by scoring six points to help push FHU to a 52-32 lead moving into the final period.

For the third straight game, the Lady Lions shot over 90% from the charity stripe, tonight helping their average skyrocket with an 18-19 night. The fourth quarter saw White and Fleming combine for four points from the free-throw line, while Elli Chumley added one. With Satterly's 3-pointer at 2:13 giving FHU their largest lead of the night at 28, the Lady Lions bounced back with a 69-46 victory.

Rachel Satterly led the Lady Lion scoring for the 10th time, bucketing 22 points. KJ White followed with a 10-point effort while dishing out a team-high six assists. Kelsey Bender led FHU in the paint, pulling down nine rebounds.

Up Next

The Lady Lions will end 2022 with an 11-3 record and will break prepare for a tough start to 2023. Three of the Lady Lions' first four games in the spring come against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the latest poll. They begin the new year in Williamsburg, Kentucky where they will face the (RV) Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 5.