HENDERSON - No. 18 Freed-Hardeman toughed out a 68-61 win against Lindsey Wilson, but the Lions have the bumps and bruises to show for their fifth consecutive victory to start the season.
Although no one suffered major injuries and only 15 fouls were called on each team, both teams played through physical contact most of the night.
FHU senior center Zack Frey thrived in the intense environment, scoring a season-high 31 points.
Frey scored 17 of those in the second half when the Lions' offense attempted only 22 shots partly because of their 12 turnovers in the half.
"I would be fine if he took every shot," said FHU coach Jason Shelton. "He is an All-America post player and a senior ... and I thought we did a nice job of getting the ball inside to him.
"(Frey) isn't going to handle the ball and create his own shot, so it takes teamwork to get the ball to him. He took a pounding on the inside, but each team only shot nine free throws so there was no bias in the officiating."
Frey was three points shy of his career-high 34, and finished the night 13-of-17 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
"We knew this was going to be a physical game because Lindsey Wilson plays in a really physical (Mid-South) league," Frey said. "(Shelton) just told us to stay aggressive, and that's what we did.
"The biggest thing so far this season has been the productiveness of transfer Ken Bingham and our freshmen."
Frey scored the first nine FHU points to help the Lions get a 13-2 lead, highlighted by a three-point play to finish a possession that included four offensive rebounds.
The Lions owned a 39-22 rebounding edge, including a 12-5 offensive rebounding advantage.
Lindsey Wilson cut into FHU's lead several times, but a Jesse Moulton steal and layup extended the halftime lead to 36-24.
Moulton and Kirtiss Brown scored nine points each with Frey being the only double-digit scorer. Moulton and Logan Greer added seven rebounds each.
Frey dominated the start of the second half with six points in the opening minutes and FHU took its biggest lead at 49-30.
The Blue Raiders answered with a 16-6 run that cut the FHU lead to 55-46 with 9:50 remaining when Eric McPherson scored three of his team-high 15 points.
Despite slugglish offensive play, FHU never let Lindsey Wilson closer than seven points.
The Blue Raiders tight defense combined with FHU's 19 turnovers helped contribute to the Lions lowest point total of the season with 68 points, but Lindsey Wilson's 61 points is also the second-fewest FHU has allowed.
"Lindsey Wilson is an experienced team that makes the NAIA tournament most years, so we knew they weren't going away," Shelton said. "We made some good adjustments on defense, and we took away some things they like to do."
Lindsey Wilson (3-2) is the third team FHU (5-0) has beaten that is involved in the NAIA poll.
The Lions beat No. 20 Auburn-Montgomery and No. 21 Tougaloo and the Blue Raiders were receiving votes this preseason.
Ten of FHU's opponents are currently ranked in the Top 25, including No. 8 Florida Southern from NCAA Division II.
FHU continues it's brutal non-conference Saturday with a trip to Campbellsville (receiving votes), and its next three opponents after that are ranked.
"We are preparing for the TranSouth, and these are also the types of games that are played in the NAIA national tournament," Shelton said. "Coaches have asked me why I scheduled this way, and I say I am a lazy scheduler and I will say yes to anybody who wants to play."
-Matt Vines, 425-9634
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