Senior Night in Waller Gymnasium saw the matchup between Shawnee State University and Freed-Hardeman University. Marnae Holland fittingly scored the first point for SSU, and the first half proved to be a back and forth bout. The second half FHU heated up and were able to put the game away, winning 86-55.
The first quarter was a slow start for the Bears, allowing Freed-Hardeman to take a 10-1 lead. Evelyn Oktavec got the first three to fall for Shawnee State with 4:29 left in the quarter to make it 10-4. The offense came to life late, bringing the fight right back to FHU, trailing by just a basket to end the quarter, 15-13.
Shawnee State scored the first basket of the second quarter to tie the game and force the battle. The game soon became a back and forth bout with the lead changing hands multiple times. Shawnee's defense was limiting shots and forcing F-H into turnovers. However, the Lady Lions closed the quarter on a 5-0 run, to take the lead going into the half, 30-25.
Marnae Holland began heating up in the second half, notching 8 points in the third quarter. The Bears continued to have active hands tipping passes and forcing turnovers, but the Lady Lions adjusted towards the end of the quarter and ended on a 12-4 run to lead 52-39.
Freed-Hardeman started off the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 59-39. As FHU continued to get hot from the three, they took the largest lead of the game with 3:49 left to play, 77-45. The Bears could not get their offense going to make a comeback and fell 86-55.
The Bears will be on the road February 17 at 6:00 PM to take on the Campbellsville Tigers.
