Roundball Lionesses claim victory in campaign opener

November 3, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — It had been a long 237 days since the Lady Lions of Freed-Hardeman University hit the hardwood in competition since their exit from the 2021 NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament. The wait ended Thursday night with a 62-44 victory over Oakwood (Ala.) University.

FHU (1-0) and Oakwood combined for six field goal attempts to start the game before Rachel Satterly netted the year's first point with a triple with 7:58 to go in the first quarter. After the Ambassadors answered with a layup, the Lady Lions went on a 9-0 streak to extend their lead to 12-2. K.J. White led the charge for the maroon and white in the first quarter, shooting 3-5 from the floor including one 3-pointer to lead with seven points. After the opening 10 minutes, FHU maintained an 18-7 lead. 

The visiting Ambassadors (0-3) started the second quarter on a roll, with Nekaya Williams getting a steal and a score within the first 30 seconds of the frame. Raegan Purvine would answer by scoring the next seven points for FHU to push the lead to 13, forcing an Oakwood timeout. Purvine's bucket to end the quarter with a game-high nine points sent the squads to recess with FHU on top 32-15.

After the break, the Oakwood Ambassadors began to chip away at the Lady Lion lead by utilizing the long ball. OU bucketed nine points from beyond the arc in the third frame. Meanwhile, the Lady Lions cooly made their free throws in the quarter, allowing a 10-point unanswered streak to extend their lead to its largest at 28 points. Moving into the final frame, FHU held a 49-28 lead.

For the first time in the contest, the Lady Lions were outscored by the opposition 16-13 in the fourth quarter, heralded by a pair of 5-0 runs by the Ambassadors. FHU's lead stayed comfortable before the final buzzer sounded with the Lady Lions reigning victorious 62-44.

The Lady Lions were a force under the rim, nearly doubling the Ambassadors' rebound total with 50 boards to Oakwood's 24. FHU's forwards utilized their strength by combining for 28 points in the paint compared to the Ambassadors' four points in the key. As a team, the Lady Lions shot 37.7% from the field, while going 5-22 from 3-point range.

K.J. White led the Lady Lion offense with 14 points, with Raegan Purvine and Rachel Satterly following with 13 and 12 buckets, respectively. Madisyn Baugher vacuumed up a team-high eight rebounds in the victory, while Satterly's four assists set up her teammates for success. 

Up Next

FHU will watch Oakwood and Stephens (Mo.) College play in the Brewer Sports Center tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in the second game of the FHU Classic. The Lady Lions will then take the floor against the Stephens Stars on Saturday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m.