Free throws lift Lady Lions to victory

February 18, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

LEBANON, Tenn. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions recorded a season-high 26 points from the charity stripe to help claim victory over the Cumberland (Tenn.) University Phoenix 63-60.

After KJ White got the Lady Lions (19-9, 13-9 MSC) on the board with the first shot of the game, the hosting Phoenix went on a 9-0 run across the first quarter, keeping the Lady Lions off the scoreboard until Kelsey Bender hit a set of free throws at 1:19. Madisyn Baugher chipped in with a jumper to end a low-scoring first quarter with the Lady Lions trailing 9-6.

A quick start for Cumberland (13-15, 9-13 MSC) put the Phoenix lead to seven points before Bender hit the Lady Lions' first 3-pointer of the day to set the score at 20-16. FHU began to set up camp at the free-throw line for the remaining five minutes, going 6-6 before another Bender triple finished the first half with the Lady Lions trailing 30-25.

Raegan Purvine helped the Lady Lion cause with a layup on the first attempt of the second half, followed by another long string of free throws. Kalea Fleming joined Purvine and White with free throws before her 3-pointer at 4:38 gave the ladies in maroon a two-point advantage at 36-34. Satterly collected five quick points before Fleming's layup ended the third quarter with FHU leading 43-41.

A 10-minute final quarter to determine the victor got started with layups from Elli Chumley and Satterly, with the latter converting the and-one opportunity. Chumley's layup with 4:25 remaining was the final floor shot for FHU, clinging to a 53-47 lead. Thankfully for the Lady Lions, their 10 free throws was enough to help complete the 630-60 victory.

Forcing 16 turnovers, the Lady Lions converted those to 22 points compared to the Phoneix's six points off of 12 turnovers.

Kalea Fleming tallied a career-high 17 points, 12 of which came from free throws. Rachel Satterly's 17 points came more from the floor, going 5-8 from the field. Kelsey Bender was two boards shy of a double-double with eight rebounds complimenting her 10 points.

Up Next

Closing the book on the 2022-23 regular season, the Lady Lions finished in fifth place in the Mid-South Conference and will host the 12th-seeded Lady Bulldogs of Wilberforce (Ohio) University on Tuesday, February 21, in the opening round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament. An opening-round win would earn FHU a trip to the quarterfinal round at the final site in Bowling Green, Kentucky.