March 20, 2008

JACKSON, Tenn. - Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University, a No. 2 seed in the 28^th Annual NAIA DI Women's Basketball National Championship, held off No. 7 seed Georgetown (Ky.) College 68-61 to advance to the second round.  Jana Cross and Tara Deatheridge led FHU's Lady Lions with 23 and 17 points respectively, including a combined 22 points in the second half.  No other Lady Lion posted over seven points.

Georgetown's Jayme Gilbert scored the game's first basket to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.  However, a basket from Cross and a three-pointer from Deathridge gave Freed-Hardeman (27-7) the lead for good at 5-2.  The Lady Lions led by as many as nine points in the first half before settling for a 28-20 halftime lead.

Neither team could find the range from the field in the first half as both teams posted shooting percentages in the mid-30's.  However, the Lady Lions were able to connect on 3-of-5 three pointers, while Georgetown went 0-of-9 from behind the arc.

In the second half, Freed-Haredeman immediately used a Cross basket to go up by double-figures.  Freed-Hardeman stretched the lead out to their largest of the game at 15 points, 37-22, with 16:31 left to play.  The Lady Lions kept a double digit lead for most of the second half, including leading by 15 points with 6:36 left to play.

Georgetown made one last rally attempt, trying to avoid elimination in the first round for the second straight season.  The Tigers posted 15-6 run over the next four minutes to cut their deficit down to just six points, 58-52.  FHU responded with a basket and held at least a six-point lead for the remainder of the game, before walking away with the 68-61 win.

Georgetown, who ended their season with a 23-10 record, was led by Gilbert with 18 points and Kim Ingle with 10 points.

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.