Second half surge not enough as Lions fall to Generals

November 12, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — The homecoming celebrations were dampened on Saturday afternoon when the Freed-Hardeman University Lions outscored the LSU-Alexandria Generals 46-41 in the second half but ran out of time one possession short with a final score of 93-90 in favor of the guests.

FHU (1-2) fell behind after a pair of 3-pointers from LSUA put the guests ahead 6-2. A pair of layups combined with a free throw helped FHU go on an early 5-0 run to take the least at 9-8. The lead proved short-lived, with another set of back-to-back long balls from the Generals putting the visitors on top by seven. Every time the Lions would fall behind, a spurt of scoring would keep the men in maroon in the game.  A 3-pointer from Ryley McClaran gave FHU a 29-25 lead with seven minutes remaining in the half. It was again the long ball that vaulted the Generals to a lead, with six of the last seven makes of the half coming from beyond the arc. The teams broke for the locker rooms with LSUA on top 52-44.

LSU-Alexandria (4-0) kept the Lions at arms' length for a majority of the second act, with the Generals pushing ahead to their largest lead of 11 after a layup set the score at 61-50. From there, Brandon Thomas and Peyton Law teamed up to chip away at the deficit, with Law bucketing a three followed by back-to-back layups from Thomas. With 8:33 remaining in the game, JJ Wheat's 3-pointer sparked a nine-point unanswered run by the Lions, eventually cutting the lead to one, 77-76. 

The Lions spent the final five minutes within two possessions of the Generals when Law's 3-pointer cut the lead to three. Law would then steal the inbound pass and quickly lay it in, setting the score at 91-90 with one second remaining. A quick foul put LSUA at the charity stripe, where both makes cemented the final score at 93-90.

Five FHU Lions ended the night in double-digits, led by Brandon Thomas's double-double. The graduate transfer from Murfreesboro led FHU in both points with 20 and rebounds with 13. Scurlock tallied 16 points,  while Geraldo Lane bucketed 15, Wheat with 13, and Law bucketing 11 in the loss. Wheat led the Lions with four steals, and JaQuan Lax helped out with a team-high three assists.

Up Next

The Lions return to action for the first Mid-South Conference clash on Thursday, November 17 against the University of Pikeville (Ky.) in Henderson. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. after the conclusion of the women's game.