UPIKE range upends Lions

January 21, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Nearly every statistical category between the No. 8 Freed-Hardeman University Lions and the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Bears were even in Saturday's Mid-South matchup except for one. The Lions were 1-13 from long range while the Bears connected for 9-21 to hand the Lions their second loss in as many games 81-71.

It was an early lead for the FHU Lions (16-5, 12-3 MSC) who saw Peyton Law join Dawson Bailey with a set of layups to take a 6-2 lead, but a 13-0 run by the hosting Bears highlighted by three long balls. JaQuan Lax answered with a layup and a set of free throws before Brandon Thomas's old-fashioned three-point play got the Lions back within one possession, trailing 30-27 with 3:20 remaining in the half. Pikeville would score six quick points to extend their lead before the intermission horn sounded to a 38-29 score in favor of the Bears.

Pikeville (12-9, 8-7 MSC) would keep the Lions out of reach during the second half despite a 7-0 run by FHU in the middle of the half to narrow UPIKE's lead to four, 54-50. While FHU drove into the key to collect 48 points in the paint, Pikeville tallied 27 points from long range to claim victory 81-71.

Five Lions ended the night in double figures with JJ Wheat's 13-point effort leading the charge. Brandon Thomas was 5-6 from the floor to help him to 12 points. Peyton Law, JaQuan Lax, and Ryley McClaran all chipped in with 10 points. In a bright spot for the Lions, Hunter Scurlock's six assists set a new career high for the junior.

Up Next

The Lions return home for a huge meeting to determine who will lead the Mid-South Conference standings with the No. 15 Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers visiting Henderson now deadlocked at the top of the standings with 12-3 conference records.

Tipoff from the Brewer Sports Center will be Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m.