Lions climb back to best Grenadiers

March 7, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — The No. 1 Freed-Hardeman University Lions found themselves trailing the No. 3 seed Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers from 6:33 of the first half until a late push helped the Lions reclaim the lead at 6:33 of the second half. The Lions' seven 3-point FGs and going 16-24 from the free-throw line saw the hosts stamp their name in the regional final.

Neither the second-seeded Lions (24-8) nor the Grenadiers could find the basket in the first three minutes of the game. Combining to go 0-9 from the field to start the opening round, Christian Stewart's layup at 17:17 gave IUSE the lead. Geraldo Lane and Phil Horton would answer for Freed-Hardeman with a dunk and a triple. A set of long balls from Peyton Law and Hunter Scurlock helped give the Lions a five-point edge over the Grenadiers. That was before IUSE exploded for 11 unanswered points, heralded by a Lane Lauderbaugh 3-pointer to put the red and black on top 19-13 with 5:22 remaining. The Lions could never truly find an answer in the first frame, as they watched Indiana University Southeast jog to the intermission leading 29-23.

The IUSE Grenadier (23-9) interior defense was nearly immovable, but Hunter Scurlock and Brandon Thomas would begin to find cracks in the defense, driving in to tally back-to-back layups from Scurlock to begin a brand new ballgame at 7:59 tied 43-43. The Grenadiers began to lead on Anthony Wales, Jr. who tallied a 3-pointer before a couple of perfect turns at the charity stripe pulled IUSE back within two possessions with 1:34 remaining. Horton would splash home the final 3-pointer of the game to keep the second round out of reach of the Grenadiers for the 65-57 final.

The Lions' grabbed 38 rebounds to the Grenadiers' 32, and those offensive chances for FHU converted to 10 second-chance points.

Anthony Wales, Jr. led his Grenadiers and all scorers with 18 points, the only IUSE player in double figures. Christian Stewart followed closely with eight points and as many boards.

The Lions saw Hunter Scurlock bucket 16 points, with JaQuan Lax a rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.