HENDERSON, Tenn. - It was a win the Freed-Hardeman Lions desperately needed.Mid-way through the second half, it was also one that it looked like they wouldn't get.
Instead, the No. 14 Lions completed a whirlwind rally that turned a 17-point deficit with 11:27 left into a 75-73 victory over the No. 4 Union (Tenn.) University Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in the Sports Center.
The win improves FHU to 21-8 on the season and 12-3 in conference play. More importantly, it means the Lions can wrap up second place in the regular-season conference standings with a win on Thursday. It also means the Lions can still claim the regular season title if Union loses one of its final three games and keeps them in good position for an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
Freed-Hardeman is the only team to defeat Union (22-5, 11-2) in conference play and swept the regular season series with the Bulldogs for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
The Bulldogs used hot shooting in the first half - 55.9 percent from the floor - to build a 47-36 halftime lead. Kristoffer Smith almost single-handedly kept FHU in the game in the first 20 minutes, scoring 16 points in the first half on 6-of-7 shooting while no other Lion scored more than four points.
Freed-Hardeman scored two quick buckets out of halftime to trim the Union lead to seven points, but the Bulldogs opened up their largest lead of the game on the heels of a 12-2 run, finished by a Matt Neaville 3-pointer with 11:27 remaining. Union still held a 15-point advantage (65-50) with 8:40 to play.
Senior guard Shun Trevillian got the rallied started, scoring seven straight points to help pull FHU within nine points at the 5:19 mark. Later, it was Smith scoring six straight as part of an 11-0 run that saw the Lions tie the game at 69-69 after a Trevillian layup with 1:22 left.
Matt Neaville responded for Union with a 15-footer to put the Bulldogs back up by two. But Logan Greer canned a 3-pointer off right wing the next trip down as FHU took its first lead since early in the game. Keith Tolliver and Zack Frey each made two free throws on their team's next possessions to keep the Lion lead at one point with 26 seconds left.
Frey then blocked Greg Truvillion's shot in the paint and Trevillian grabbed the loose ball with 2.6 seconds left. Trevillian made 1-of-2 from the line, and Martez Hawkins missed a last-second heave from just inside half court as the Lions completed the comeback.
Smith led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Trevillian added 17 - 13 in the second half - and Frey chipped in 10.
FHU finishes the regular season on Thursday against Lyon (Ark.) College at 8:00 PM in Henderson.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Win #20
The No. 14 Freed-Hardeman Lions ended a two-game losing streak with a convincing 77-53 win over Bethel (Tenn.) College on Thursday night.
The win moves FHU (20-8, 11-3) into a second-place tie with Cumberland (Tenn.) in the TranSouth Conference standings with two games remaining. It also marks the second straight year that the Lions have won 20 games, the first time since the 01-02 and 02-03 seasons that Freed-Hardeman has accomplished that feat.
The outcome of this one was hardly in doubt from the opening tip as FHU built a 21-11 lead over the first 11 minutes and later used a 12-3 run to extend its lead to 17 points, 33-16, with 4:56 in the half. The Wildcats would not get within 13 points of the Lion lead for the remainder of the game.
Freed-Hardeman's defense, which played a big role in the team's recent 12-game winning streak, reappeared from a three-game absence to hold Bethel nearly 26 points below its season scoring average. The Lions also shut down Dontaye Hinton, limiting the senior forward to a season-low four points. Hinton entered the game averaging 18.1 points per contest.
Zack Frey led all scorers with 21 points, the fourth consecutive game in which the junior center has surpassed 20 points. Jesse Moulton added 12 points while Wesley Mayes pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds.
The Lions now prepare for a big game against No. 4 Union (Tenn.) on Saturday at the Sports Center. The Bulldogs are atop the conference with an 11-1 record after narrowly escaping Martin Methodist (Tenn.) in overtime, 77-76. Freed-Hardeman won the first meeting between the two schools this year, 69-66, in Jackson
The win moves FHU (20-8, 11-3) into a second-place tie with Cumberland (Tenn.) in the TranSouth Conference standings with two games remaining. It also marks the second straight year that the Lions have won 20 games, the first time since the 01-02 and 02-03 seasons that Freed-Hardeman has accomplished that feat.
The outcome of this one was hardly in doubt from the opening tip as FHU built a 21-11 lead over the first 11 minutes and later used a 12-3 run to extend its lead to 17 points, 33-16, with 4:56 in the half. The Wildcats would not get within 13 points of the Lion lead for the remainder of the game.
Freed-Hardeman's defense, which played a big role in the team's recent 12-game winning streak, reappeared from a three-game absence to hold Bethel nearly 26 points below its season scoring average. The Lions also shut down Dontaye Hinton, limiting the senior forward to a season-low four points. Hinton entered the game averaging 18.1 points per contest.
Zack Frey led all scorers with 21 points, the fourth consecutive game in which the junior center has surpassed 20 points. Jesse Moulton added 12 points while Wesley Mayes pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds.
The Lions now prepare for a big game against No. 4 Union (Tenn.) on Saturday at the Sports Center. The Bulldogs are atop the conference with an 11-1 record after narrowly escaping Martin Methodist (Tenn.) in overtime, 77-76. Freed-Hardeman won the first meeting between the two schools this year, 69-66, in Jackson
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thought for the day 2/17
My definition of discipline is as follows: (1) Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and (2) Do it that way all the time. - Bob Knight
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Quote of the day 2/15
"We just didn't play well defensively. We didn't play hard enough on defense. We played lazy. They got a lot of points in the paint. It's one game. It's good that (my teammates) have a competitive spirit, but they can't take a loss and hold on to it. You can't get too hard on yourself or you don't play your best basketball." - Kobe Bryant
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Great Article
I had someone send me this link and the article is really great. I highly recommend everyone read this and pass it on. The link is http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/columns/story?columnist=bilas_jay&id=3868904 .
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
#10 in the country
The new rankings came out and we continued to move up. This week we are ranked #10 in the country. We have 5 games left in our season and we are playing well. We have currently won 12 games in a row and at 10-1 in the conference are tied for first place. Overall our team record is 19-6 and we hope to continue to improve on that. We play Martin Methodist Thursday night at home and then we go to Mid-Continent on Monday.
Best of luck to all of the high school teams as your seasons are winding down and tournaments are starting.
Best of luck to all of the high school teams as your seasons are winding down and tournaments are starting.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Story from the Jackson Sun about last nights game
Freed-Hardeman 83, Lambuth 61
Six Freed-Hardeman players scored at least eight points against a usually-stingy Lambuth defense Thursday, and the Lions extended their winning streak to 11 games with an 83-61 win.
The Lions (18-6) made seven of their 10 3-pointers in the second half, including three from senior point guard Shun Trevillian.
Two of Trevillian's 3-pointers aided a 15-4 run that helped FHU to a 66-42 lead with nine minutes remaining.
Before the run, Lambuth had hacked a 21-point edge to 13 at 51-38, but the Eagles didn't come any closer.
FHU's Jesse Moulton scored a game-high 16 points, inluding 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
"We do best when our scoring is spread out," said FHU coach Jason Shelton. "Our best player (Zack Frey) didn't even play that much, but I am glad we have a senior backup post like Tyler Jennings."
Jennings was the only other FHU scorer in double figures with 10 points, but Kristoffer Smith, Kirtiss Brown and Trevillian chipped in with nine points apiece.
Trevillian's third long-range bucket stretched the Lions' lead to 74-44, and FHU coasted to the win.
Lambuth struggled offensively with a 32 percent shooting effort, including just 2-of-20 from 3-point range.
Antawn Coby was the only Lambuth scorer in double figures with 11 points.
"Antawn is a special player, but we did a better job of playing help defense," Shelton said. "We made him give up the ball in the second half."
Lambuth won the earlier matchup in Henderson - the Lions' most recent loss.
"I think the main difference (with the) team is that we are just executing better," Shelton said. "We have 10 guys that have been in the program at least three years."
"We have worked with motion on offense, and 17 assists on 29 buckets (Thursday) isn't bad."
The Eagles (13-8) scored a season-low 61 points just a game after scoring a season-high 128 points against Blue Mountain.
FHU travels to Blue Mountain on Saturday, while Lambuth heads to Bethel on the same day.
Six Freed-Hardeman players scored at least eight points against a usually-stingy Lambuth defense Thursday, and the Lions extended their winning streak to 11 games with an 83-61 win.
The Lions (18-6) made seven of their 10 3-pointers in the second half, including three from senior point guard Shun Trevillian.
Two of Trevillian's 3-pointers aided a 15-4 run that helped FHU to a 66-42 lead with nine minutes remaining.
Before the run, Lambuth had hacked a 21-point edge to 13 at 51-38, but the Eagles didn't come any closer.
FHU's Jesse Moulton scored a game-high 16 points, inluding 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
"We do best when our scoring is spread out," said FHU coach Jason Shelton. "Our best player (Zack Frey) didn't even play that much, but I am glad we have a senior backup post like Tyler Jennings."
Jennings was the only other FHU scorer in double figures with 10 points, but Kristoffer Smith, Kirtiss Brown and Trevillian chipped in with nine points apiece.
Trevillian's third long-range bucket stretched the Lions' lead to 74-44, and FHU coasted to the win.
Lambuth struggled offensively with a 32 percent shooting effort, including just 2-of-20 from 3-point range.
Antawn Coby was the only Lambuth scorer in double figures with 11 points.
"Antawn is a special player, but we did a better job of playing help defense," Shelton said. "We made him give up the ball in the second half."
Lambuth won the earlier matchup in Henderson - the Lions' most recent loss.
"I think the main difference (with the) team is that we are just executing better," Shelton said. "We have 10 guys that have been in the program at least three years."
"We have worked with motion on offense, and 17 assists on 29 buckets (Thursday) isn't bad."
The Eagles (13-8) scored a season-low 61 points just a game after scoring a season-high 128 points against Blue Mountain.
FHU travels to Blue Mountain on Saturday, while Lambuth heads to Bethel on the same day.
Thought for the day 2/6
Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use. - Charles M. Schultz
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thought for the day 2/5
It's amazing how much a person can accomplish when he's not worried who will get the credit.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Quote of the day 2/4
An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. - Orlando A. Battista
Monday, February 2, 2009
Story from Saturday's Game
Lions do it again, down No. 7 Cumberland
Sat, January 31, 2009 - [MEN'S BASKETBALL]
HENDERSON, Tenn. - Freed-Hardeman senior Kristoffer Smith went 39 minutes and 52 seconds without scoring a point.Turns out he was saving his first basket for the game's most critical time.Smith made a driving floater in the lane with eight seconds left to tie the game at 53-53, then rebounded Quentin Turner's miss with two seconds left to send it into overtime where the Lions would get the upper hand on No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.) University and pull off a 66-59 upset.
"Bobby Knight said that the mental-to-physical is 4-to-1," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "Sometimes it's harder to be mentally tough than physically tough. Tonight we had to be both."
The win, FHU's tenth in a row, gives the Lions (17-6, 9-1) sole possession of first place in the TranSouth Conference. Cumberland drops to 18-3 on the season and 8-2 in conference play. It also marks the third time this season FHU has defeated a team ranked in the NAIA's top 10.
Playing on their home floor in front of an excited crowd, the Lions led for much of the game. Zack Frey's three-point play with 13:40 in the first half put FHU on top, 15-12, and the game would stay that way for the next 30 minutes.Cumberland, however, used multiple trips to the foul line along with smothering defense to piece together a 15-2 run that gave the Bulldogs a 51-49 lead with 3:05 to play. After each team made a pair of turnovers, Zack Frey's turnaround from the baseline tied the game at 51-51. But the Bulldogs again were able to get to the free throw line, as Kenneth Simms and Brandon Powell each made 1-of-2 free throws on CU's next two possessions to give them a 53-51 lead with :33 to play.Then came Smith's big basket and rebound.
In overtime, FHU raced out to a 60-53 lead by finally getting to the free throw line themselves after shooting just seven in regulation. Frey went 5-of-6 from the line and Smith had a steal and dunk to fuel the 7-0 run.
"Our guys made plays when we had to," Shelton said. "A lot of different people stepped up and did a lot of different things."
The Bulldogs, who made a living at the line (21-of-29) in regulation, made just 3-of-8 in overtime while FHU converted on 9-of-15 opportunities in the extra period.Frey finished with 17 points while Jesse Moulton added 11. Shun Trevillian and Kirtiss Brown each had 10 points. Brown scored six straight points in the midst of a 9-0 Lion run in the second half.
Freed-Hardeman returns to action on Thursday at 8:00 PM against the team that handed the Lions their last loss, Lambuth (Tenn.) University. The Eagles beat FHU, 76-71, on Dec. 8 in the Sports Center.
Sat, January 31, 2009 - [MEN'S BASKETBALL]
HENDERSON, Tenn. - Freed-Hardeman senior Kristoffer Smith went 39 minutes and 52 seconds without scoring a point.Turns out he was saving his first basket for the game's most critical time.Smith made a driving floater in the lane with eight seconds left to tie the game at 53-53, then rebounded Quentin Turner's miss with two seconds left to send it into overtime where the Lions would get the upper hand on No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.) University and pull off a 66-59 upset.
"Bobby Knight said that the mental-to-physical is 4-to-1," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "Sometimes it's harder to be mentally tough than physically tough. Tonight we had to be both."
The win, FHU's tenth in a row, gives the Lions (17-6, 9-1) sole possession of first place in the TranSouth Conference. Cumberland drops to 18-3 on the season and 8-2 in conference play. It also marks the third time this season FHU has defeated a team ranked in the NAIA's top 10.
Playing on their home floor in front of an excited crowd, the Lions led for much of the game. Zack Frey's three-point play with 13:40 in the first half put FHU on top, 15-12, and the game would stay that way for the next 30 minutes.Cumberland, however, used multiple trips to the foul line along with smothering defense to piece together a 15-2 run that gave the Bulldogs a 51-49 lead with 3:05 to play. After each team made a pair of turnovers, Zack Frey's turnaround from the baseline tied the game at 51-51. But the Bulldogs again were able to get to the free throw line, as Kenneth Simms and Brandon Powell each made 1-of-2 free throws on CU's next two possessions to give them a 53-51 lead with :33 to play.Then came Smith's big basket and rebound.
In overtime, FHU raced out to a 60-53 lead by finally getting to the free throw line themselves after shooting just seven in regulation. Frey went 5-of-6 from the line and Smith had a steal and dunk to fuel the 7-0 run.
"Our guys made plays when we had to," Shelton said. "A lot of different people stepped up and did a lot of different things."
The Bulldogs, who made a living at the line (21-of-29) in regulation, made just 3-of-8 in overtime while FHU converted on 9-of-15 opportunities in the extra period.Frey finished with 17 points while Jesse Moulton added 11. Shun Trevillian and Kirtiss Brown each had 10 points. Brown scored six straight points in the midst of a 9-0 Lion run in the second half.
Freed-Hardeman returns to action on Thursday at 8:00 PM against the team that handed the Lions their last loss, Lambuth (Tenn.) University. The Eagles beat FHU, 76-71, on Dec. 8 in the Sports Center.
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