Elite was earned as Lions overcome 20-point deficit to win MSC title

February 27, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — For the third time this season, the No. 21 Freed-Hardeman University Lions lined up across the court from the No. 8 Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers. After splitting the regular season series, the largest time the big cats faced off was in Monday's Mid-South Conference Championship Final. Despite trailing by 16 points at the break, FHU clawed their way to their first MSC Champion banner with a 69-68 win.

The No. 2 seed Lions (23-8, 16-6 MSC) were stunned from the tipoff when JaQuan Lax's 3-pointer to open the game would be the only points scored by the Lions until 13:30. Meanwhile, the Georgetown Tigers had no trouble finding the hoop, collecting 19 unanswered points. Known for their astronomical field goal percentage, the Lions found themselves in trouble, going just 8-21 from the floor in the opening half. After JJ Wheat and Ryley McClaran knocked down sets of free throws, Georgetown deflated the Lions with a 3-pointer to put the top-seeded Tigers on top by 20. Peyton Law's late 3-pointer hoped to breathe life into the Lions as they limped to the locker room trailing 40-24.

Lax's only points of the first half came from the game-opening triple. Entirely unsatisfied with that stat line, Lax netted five consecutive triples to chip away at the Georgetown (26-5, 18-4 MSC) lead. Brandon Thomas began finding open looks, with his layup at 11:26 being followed by one from McClaran to narrow the Tiger lead to single digits. Slowly the lead dwindled. Geraldo Lane's 3-point jumper at 5:49 made it a two-possession game. Hunter Scurlock's long ball put the Lions down by four to spark an 8-0 run with Wheat's free throws at 2:35 complete the 20-point comeback and then give FHU the lead. 

In the final two minutes, one shot from either team could change the outcome, with a pair of GC free throws giving the orange and black the lead. Scurlock drained another 3-pointer before the Lions forced a turnover. Thomas layed in the Lions' 69th point before a 3-pointer from Georgetown pulled the Tigers within one point.

Disaster struck for the Lions as a missed Tiger layup with one second bounced out of a Lion defender's hands and out of bounds, allowing Georgetown one second to inbound under their own hoop for the game-winning attempt. As the ball sailed through the air, Lane's outstretched arm tipped the inbound pass far enough away from its intended target that the horn sounded and the Lions roared.

JaQuan Lax went off, deservedly being named the tournament's most valuable player, by tallying 20 points in the championship game, including a 6-9 turn from deep. Brandon Thomas closely followed with 14 points, also grabbing a team-high six rebounds.

Up Next

The Lions have one less concern regarding the brackets for the upcoming 2023 NAIA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds Presented by Ballogy. With Freed-Hardeman hosting those opening rounds, the Lions will await Thursday's selection to learn their seeding and their opponents for the Henderson bracket.

Keep an eye on GoFHULions.com for information regarding the upcoming tournament.