HENDERSON, Tenn. - Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion coach Dale Neal was worried about the size of the opposition, but it turned out that it was his trio of post players that did the damage.
Jana Cross, Meribeth Boehler, and Rakeshia Perry combined for 43 of Freed-Hardeman's 82 points in Thursday's 82-67 win over No. 19 Bethel (Tenn.) College at the FHU Sports Center. The win improves the Lady Lions, ranked No. 6 in Monday's poll, to 14-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Bethel falls to 11-6 on the season and 2-3 in conference.
The Lady Lions sprinted out of the gate with a 12-0 run to start the game after forcing the Lady Wildcats into five turnovers on their first eight possessions. Bethel scored the next two baskets but FHU then used an 11-2 run to open up a 23-6 lead with 13:00 left in the half. Freed-Hardeman would lead by as many as 21 in the first half and 25 in the second half, appearing to have the game well in hand.
But Bethel, one of the top up-and-coming programs in the country, was not ready to give up the fight. The Lady Wildcats outscored FHU 17-6 over a six-minute stretch to get within 12 points (75-63) with 3:25 to play. The Lady Lion defense answered the call, holding Bethel scoreless in its next five possessions while FHU made 7-of-8 free throws to put the game out of reach.
Cross recorded her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while fellow post players Boehler and Perry added 16 and 11 respectively. Tara Deatheridge also recorded double digits with 15 points while picking up six steals.
FHU's difficult week continues as the Lady Lions travel to No. 1 Union (Tenn.) University on Saturday for a 2:00 PM tip-off.
Notes: Bethel out-rebounded FHU 40-38, marking only the third time this season that FHU's opponent has done so...five of Bethel's six losses on the season have come against teams currently rated in the NAIA's top 15...Cross moved into ninth place on FHU's career scoring list with 1,481. Next on the list: Janice Wood at 1,568 points...FHU is 9-0 at home this season and 96-7 in the Sports Center since the 2002-03 season.
