December 15, 2007

 

     Dayton, TN—The Freed Hardeman Lady Lions came into Summers Gymnasium riding a 5 game winning streak and sitting at #3 in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Poll. The team would leave feeling lucky to have escaped defeat at the hands of a Bryan Lady Lions team who proved to be just as hungry and just as talented.

     Led by Junior Guard Katie Davis, the home Lady Lions matched FHU step for step in the first half of play, trading buckets with their opponents en route to a 28-28 tie with less than 10 seconds to play in the first half. The tie was the last of the game, as Freed Hardeman hit a spinning jumper at the buzzer to take a 30-28 lead into the locker room. The FHU Lady Lions from Jackson, TN would not relinquish the lead, however the home Lady Lions had “UPSET” on their mind, and gave their visitors all they could handle in an action packed second half.

     Freed Hardeman jumped out offensively in the second half, pulling out to a 13 point lead despite some solid inside play from Jessica Southern who had Bryan’s first 3 buckets of the first half. Bryan would not allow their opponents to put the game out of reach as they clawed back with an unrelenting effort both defensively and on the glass. Bryan became just the third team this season to outrebound FHU, outdoing their opponents 45-33 on the boards while holding them to just 38% shooting, nearly 10% less than their season average.

     After erasing the 13 point deficit, the Lions hung with FHU the remainder of the second half, and despite 10 turnovers, put themselves in position to send the game into overtime. While the trio of Southern, Courtney Swanson and Amber Smith took care of the Lady Lions in the paint, Katie Davis took over from the perimeter, shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-6 from three point range to finish with a season high 25 points. Southern would finish with 12 points and 9 rebounds while Swanson poured in 16 points in the loss. Smith, who recently joined the Lady Lions after finishing a strong season with the Bryan Volleyball team, added 10 points as well. 

     As the final seconds wound down, Freed Hardeman held a 66-63 lead. The Lions brought the ball down the court and found Katie Davis for a three to send the game into extra time, but the shot was no good. The game was not over however, as Davis was fouled and was sent to the line with a chance to tie the game at 66. Davis delivered, hitting the first two free throws before FHU called a time out to ice Bryan’s sharp-shooter. Davis returned to the line and her third free throw narrowly missed off the left side of the rim, the Lions’ attempt of an upset falling just short. Final Score: FHU 66- Bryan 65.

     Bryan Head Coach Jamy Bechler was proud of the way his team battled: “Our girls played really hard today. The rebounding effort was huge.   It is disappointing to lose this game, but we certainly have gained a new bit of confidence going into the break.  Hopefully, we’ll take this into our tournament in Florida and then the AAC schedule after the break.  We had a number of key performances in this game; Courtney (Swanson) really got us going by posting up strong and going to the basket.  Amber (Smith) hit the boards hard and Katie (Davis) had a nice game shooting the ball, rebounding, and playing defense.  KeKe Bean did a good job of shutting down Megan Thompson, their key backcourt player, and Jessica (Southern) had another good game scoring inside and hitting the boards.”

     The Lady Lions head into the break with a two weeks off for the Christmas holidays before making the trip to Warner Southern University in Florida for a Holiday Tournament where they will take on Lindsey Wilson(Ky.) in the first round.