BATESVILLE, Ark. - In their first game in nearly six years as a nationally ranked team, the Freed-Hardeman Lions got a taste of what it's like to have a target on their backs.
The Lions, who broke into the NAIA top 25 earlier today at No. 20, had to fend off the best that Lyon (Ark.) College had to offer in order to escape with an 84-82 win on Monday night.
The Scots (7-9, 1-6) stayed close the entire way, never trailing by more than seven points. And every time it looked like FHU might begin to build a cushion, Lyon had an answer - often in the form of a 3-pointer.
With 5:25 to play, Freed-Hardeman went ahead by six points after a basket and free throw by Zack Frey, but Lyon's James Jackson came right down the floor and hit a 3-pointer to cut FHU's lead in half.
After two Kristoffer Smith free throws extend the Lions' lead to 79-74 with 1:29 left, Lyon's Brandon Cowart connected on a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game.
Moments later, after Shun Trevillian missed both ends of a double bonus, it was Lyon's Andy Lee that went downtown to pull the Scots within three at 83-80 with :13 on the clock.
But it was Smith, one of four Freed-Hardeman seniors who have been part of the program's rebuilding process from day one, who made sure those big shots didn't turn the tide.
After putting FHU ahead for good with his 3-pointer at the 11:00 minute mark, Smith made several big plays down the stretch starting with his free throws with 1:29 left. Smith answered Cowart's 3-pointer with a 10-footer from the baseline to make it a two-possession game. On the other end, he tipped Andy Lee's 3-point attempt, allowing FHU to get back to the line where Jesse Moulton would extend the lead to six points.
But Lyon still wasn't done, getting within three on Lee's 3-pointer with :13 left, meaning that FHU would still have to earn it from the foul line. The ball went to Smith, and after missing the front end of the double bonus, he hit the one that the Lions had to have.
Smith led Freed-Hardeman with 18 points. Zack Frey added 15 while Jesse Moulton and Trevillian added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Freed-Hardeman maintains its position in first place in the TranSouth Conference at 6-1, a half-game ahead of Union (Tenn.) and Cumberland (Tenn.) and improves to 14-6 overall. The first half of the conference schedule for the Lions concludes on Thursday as they host Mid-Continent (Ky.) University. The Cougars upset Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) tonight, 71-69.
