Lions bounce back with big win

February 11, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — After dropping their third straight game, the No. 22 Freed-Hardeman University Lions found the win column in a major way by topping the No. 16 Thomas More (Ky.) University Saints 65-57 to complete the season sweep.

Brandon Thomas got the scoring started for the Lions (18-8, 14-6 MSC), turning a steal into a layup. The hosting Saints answered by scoring six unanswered points. It was a first half of runs for TMU, utilizing a 6-0 run to jump ahead of the Lions 16-6 with 11:59 remaining in the half. Zachary Baugher helped the Lion cause with a 3-pointer which was followed by a layup from Dawson Bailey. Another big push by the Saints saw the Lions watch 10 points score from the home team without FHU bucketing an answer. With 4:49 left before the break, the Lions found themselves trailing 26-11. Freed-Hardeman would start to push to the perimeter, with Baugher knocking down two long balls and Bailey's triple ending the half with the Lions down 32-27.

The Saints (20-6, 14-6 MSC) saw their lead shrink to one point after JaQuan Lax and Peyton Law scored field goals to start the half and narrow the score to 32-31. It was Lax's steal and score that tied the game and Thomas's jumper that swapped the lead and give the Lions the lead at 37-35 with 15:44 remaining in the game. Those four points were in the middle of a 15-2 run for the men in maroon, with Lax's 3-pointer putting FHU ahead 51-43 with 11:27 to go. Lax began hitting nearly every shot he took, scoring 14 straight points for the Lions across six minutes. Steals and scores from Lax and JJ Wheat ended the scoring for FHU, settling the game with a 65-57 final score.

JaQuan Lax went off for 22 pints, going 8-11 from the field, followed by double-digit performances from Zach Baugher and JJ Wheat. Baugher went 4-7 from 3-point land to score 12 points, while Wheat chipped in with 11. 

Up Next

The Lions return to friendlier hardwood when they will host the FireHawks of Tennessee Southern for Senior Night. Festivities from the Brewer Sports Center are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 16.