Huge first half helps FHU to lopsided win

November 22, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman University Lions rode a 28-5 run across eight minutes to close a first half in which FHU led the Bethel (Tenn.) University Wildcats 46-25. Continuing their strong play in the second frame, the Lions claimed victory over the Wildcats 87-56.

Freed-Hardeman (4-2, 3-0 MSC) kept their perfect start to Mid-South Conference play going by having a strong presence in the paint in the first half. It was a tight opening 10 minutes, with the big cats trading points before a Brandon Thomas layup put FHU on top by seven. Bethel would answer with back-to-back 3-pointers and a mid-range jumper to leapfrog FHU to take a 16-15 lead at 9:19. Phil Horton splashed home a long 3-pointer to jumpstart an 11-point unanswered streak. Thomas and Peyton law both recorded layups before J.J. Wheat and Geraldo Lane each went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. A pair of jumpers from Bethel cut the FHU lead to seven before the Lions began to patrol the paint. Over the next six minutes, 18 of the Lions' 20 points came from the key to push the FHU lead to 46-25 at the break. The Lions also played solid defense, forcing 13 Bethel turnovers in the half, with four of those being from steals. 

Bethel (5-2, 1-2 MSC) opened the second frame scoring four points before the Lions could set up offensively. Freed-Hardeman; however, again pushed the pace inside with JaQuan Lax, Peyton Law, and Alex Rush joining Wheat with layups in the second frame to give FHU a 23-point advantage with 12:00 remaining. Though the Lions had scored a majority of their points inside the lane, it was a late spurt from outside the arc that put the most distance between the Lions and the Wildcats. Hunter Scurlock knocked down a triple before Geraldo Lane hit back-to-back long balls. Wheat joined the 3-point contest at 6:22 to push FHU's lead to 79-50. Across the final five minutes of the contest, the Lions moved back inside to bucket their final points inside the paint to cement their win at 87-56.

FHU was paced offensively by Geraldo Lane's 16-point night. Brandon Thomas added 13 points, with Hunter Scurlock chipping in with 11. Scurlock led the Lion rebounding with six boards, with Ryley McClaran leading his squad with five assists. Alex Rush had a big night defensively, swatting away a team-high three blocks. 

Up Next

FHU will compete in "The Show" held in Kingsport, Tennessee, with a pair of non-conference clashes. The Lions will take on Warner (Fla.) University on Saturday, November 26 at 4:15 p.m. before facing the Southeastern (Fla.) University Flames on Sunday, November 27 with a 12:45 p.m. tipoff.