None better! The Lady Lions claim first MSC Conference Championship

February 27, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions saved their best for last when their 20-point fourth quarter was their best frame of the Mid-South Conference Tournament Final. Staving off the Shawnee State (Ohio) University Bear attack late, the Lady Lions claimed the 65-61 victory to hoist the MSC Tournament Champion banner while guaranteeing a berth into the 2023 NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament Presented by Ballogy.

The No. 5 seed Lady Lions (23-9, 13-9 MSC) drove into the lane to establish dominance in the paint when Elli Chumley's layup gave FHU their first points of the championship game. The inside dominance proved unnecessary in the opening frame, as every other field goal of the quarter came from four different Lady Lions. First, Rachel Satterly's triple was chased by Kalea Fleming's 3-point jumper. Kelsey Bender hit the third consecutive 3-pointer of the quarter to give the Lady Lions a 13-10 lead. For every 3-pointer FHU connected on, the No. 7 seed Bears would make two baskets inside to answer. Madisyn Baugher's 3-point field goal with three ticks remaining in the quarter gave the Lady Lions a 16-14 lead after 10 minutes.

A tough Shawnee State (16-16, 10-12) defense forced several FHU turnovers in the second quarter, driving to the other end of the hardwood to bucket layups to chip away at, and eventually using a long ball of their own to give the Bears a six-point edge after a set of 3-pointers to lead 29-23 with 1:45 remaining before the intermission. KJ White drove into the lane, sacrificing her body to collect back-to-back layups before Raegan Purvine's 3-ball put the score at 31-30 in favor of the bears at the break.

The point presence established at the outset of the championship game began to return in the third frame when Chumley opened the third quarter with back-to-back layups. In the third quarter, all but three of FHU's third-quarter points came from inside the lane, with Rachel Satterly's 3-pointer helping the Lady Lions end the third quarter deadlocked with the Bears.

It was a massive fourth quarter that vaulted FHU to the championship crown, starting the final 10 minutes on a 9-nine-point unanswered run. Shawnee State would attempt to stop the clock with fouls; however, the Lady Lions calmly connected on those free throws, with Satterly's dagger from long range coming at 2:11 giving FHU their largest lead at 61-50. Shawnee State battled back, but late free throws pushed FHU to the championship banner with the 65-61 victory.

The Lady Lions shot 44% from the field in the final, hitting 9-12, while holding their opponents to a 4-12 mark.

Rachel Satterly again paced the FHU offense, bucketing 18 points thanks in part to a 4-8 night from deep. KJ White trailed behind with 16 points, with Raegan Purvine tallying 13 buckets. White joined Raegan Purvine for a team-high six rebounds.

Up Next

The Lady Lions will celebrate for most of the week, before the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship selection show on Thursday, March 3 will tell the MSC champs their starting place for their battle for the Big Red Banner. Stay tuned to GoFHULions.com for information on opponents, times, and venues.