FHU Athletics
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – For the first time in the 2024-25 season, the No. 6 Freed-Hardeman University Lions eclipsed the century mark in a 106-68 rout of the Reinhardt (Ga.) University Eagles to close out The Show 2024.
The Lions (11-1) flooded the paint to start the matchup with Jayson Nixon, Makai Vassell, and Geraldo Lane all hitting jumpers to start the game 6-0. In a two-minute span, Peyton Law managed six points of his own to set FHU’s lead at 14-6 with 15:35 remaining in the opening half. Adding even more separation, the Lions went on a nine-point run with Phil Horton’s free throws putting the Lions on top 23-8 with 11:37 before intermission. Late in the half, the Eagles would begin to find their stroke, eventually pulling within two possessions before Ryley McClaran’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer – the only of the half for FHU – giving the Lions a 46-35 halftime lead.
Beginning the second frame the same way the ended the first, the Lions kept momentum going with McClaran scoring five points in the first two minutes. Reinhardt (5-5) strung together a good run by out-scoring Freed-Hardeman 11-2 with a steal and a score at 11:37 making the FHU lead 66-52. Making offensive waves of their own, the Lions would go on three different 7-0 runs down the stretch with Brian Carter’s layup at 1:58 giving the Lions triple digits. Carter knocked down a triple for FHU’s final points in the 106-68 victory.
The Lions dominated nearly every statistical category, shooting 57% to Reinhardt’s 37% while out-rebounding the Eagles 48-25.
Peyton Law continued his white-hot start of the season by dropping 26 points to continue his streak of 20+ point games. Now with four straight 20+ point games, Law has met the mark eight times in 12 games his season.
Joining Law with double-figures were Phil Horton and Makai Vassell – both tallying 15 points. Brian Carter netted 11 points wile Blake Dean and Ryley McClaran each connected for 10. Law had his third double-double of the season with a game-high 11 rebounds while Horton led with four steals.
The Lions now take a well-deserved break before returning to Henderson to face Tougaloo (Miss.) College on December 10 at 6 p.m.