Story from the Jackson Sun 1/18

FHU stifles Union

By MATT VINES
mvines1@jacksonsun.com• January 18, 2009


http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090118/SPORTS/901180321


Freed-Hardeman has been in a rebuilding process in coach Jason Shelton's three-and-a-half seasons at the helm.

With a 69-66 win at No. 5 Union, the Lions' third victory over a ranked opponent this season, the rebuilding process is officially over.

FHU (13-6, 5-1) forced Union's Matt Neaville and Brian Lake to pass on a game-winning shot attempt and claimed the win as Greg Truvillion's 3-pointer ricocheted off the backboard.
"I am going to enjoy the win until about dinner time (on Saturday)," said FHU coach Jason Shelton. "Then my mind will drift to Lyon and gathering film."

"This is a big win, but we can't relax because we want to continue with the building process."
FHU's Zack Frey missed the front end of a free-throw trip to keep Union within three points, but the Lions' defense bailed them out just as it had all game.

"We have a play that we run in those situations, but we hadn't rehearsed it enough, and that's poor coaching on my part," said Union coach Ralph Turner. "We try to free up Neaville or Lake on that play and have Martez Hawkins as our third option, but Truvillion caught the pass that was intended for Hawkins.
"We executed horribly on offense, and I got outcoached all day."

The Bulldogs (14-4, 4-1) made just six-of-26 from 3-point range and shot 37 percent from the field, including just 30 percent in the first half.

FHU's Jesse Moulton led three Lions' scorers in double figures with 16 points, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc.

Moulton scored seven of FHU's last 12 points as Union made just six-of-13 free throws in the second half to stifle the Bulldogs' comeback attempt.

"We played a tough non-conference schedule, and that has paid off in TranSouth play," Moulton said. "I get hyped when our team makes big shots, and we made them (on Saturday).
"Our main goal was to get the ball inside to Zach, and he opens up the floor for the rest of us."
Despite Frey shooting 4-of-12 and scoring 12 points, the junior forward drew attention from Union's defense, allowing the Lions to shoot 6-of-13 from 3-point range in the second half.
Hawkins (12 points) drilled one of his two 3-pointers to cut the FHU lead to 62-61 with two minutes remaining, but FHU's Shun Trevillian answered with a 3-pointer to keep his Lions ahead.

Union's Brian Lake, who has made two game-winning shots this season, scored just seven points but grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds.

Freed-Hardeman extends its winning streak to six games to take the top conference spot while ending Union's six-game streak.

Both teams return to the floor Monday with FHU traveling to Lyon while Union hosts Blue Mountain.

- Matt Vines, 425-9634