FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions overcame a slow start and outscored Milligan ( Tenn.) College by 18 points in the second half en route to a 73-59 win at the Cruzin Classic at Nova Southeastern University.
Milligan jumped out to an early 12-4 lead as FHU struggled to find its groove, making just two of its first eight shots. The Lady Lions scored the next seven points to cut the deficit to one point, but the Lady Buffaloes went on an 8-0 run to take a 20-11 lead with 7:48 to play in the first half.
Freed-Hardeman came roaring back, eventually taking its first lead of the game at 28-27 on a pair of free throws by Meribeth Boehler with 2:13 left. Milligan answered by scored the final five points of the half to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, however, the Lady Lions started looking more like the team that it has been in the last two games.
After early 8-2 run tied the game at 36-36, the teams traded baskets until Julia Myers' second 3-pointer of the half gave FHU a lead it would not relinquish. The Lady Lions outscored Milligan 22-7 over the next seven minutes, building a 13-point lead with 3:54 to play. The Lady Buffaloes pulled within nine points with just inside 2:00 to play, but could get no closer.
Hannah Parsley led all scorers with 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Boehler and Tara Deatheridge each scored 12 points while Whitney Johnson added 10. Rikki Baughman scored 16 points for Milligan.
The game also marked the return of two-time All-American Jana Cross, who had been out for nearly six weeks with an injury. Cross scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 20 minutes.
Freed-Hardeman, ranked No. 9 in the NAIA, improves to 10-4 on the season. The Lady Lions close their participation in the Cruzin Classic tomorrow at 1:00 PM CDT against Benedictine (Ind.) College.
