HENDERSON, Tenn. - In a year that has been very tough on the Mid-Continent University women's basketball team, no test could have prepared them for what they faced on Saturday. The Cougars headed in to the Brewer Sports Center to take on the NAIA's top team - the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions.

Mid-Continent (7-20, 0-7) contained the Lady Lions fairly well in the opening moments of the contest, but on the offensive end of the floor, the Cougars could find little room with which to work, as Freed-Hardeman used a stifling defensive effort to down the Cougars, 93-35.

Freed-Hardeman took an early lead in the game, but ofund themselves in a close contest at the first media timeout, leading 13-7 with 11:28 to go in the opening half. Coming back, however, Freed-Hardeman began to take control. Runs of 14-1 and 13-6 for the Lady Lions stretched their lead out to 24 at the halftime intermission, when they led 40-16. The second half proved to be even better for the Lady Lions, as they outscored Mid-Continent 53-19 in the second stanza, taking the win, 93-35.

Natalie Taylor was the only player for Mid-Continent who scored in double-figures, netting 12 points with seven of those coming at the foul line. No Mid-Continent player had more than four rebounds and Mid-Continent generated just six steals in the contest. The Cougars did not shoot the ball well either, making only 11-of-38 (28.9%) shots, and just 2-of-14 (14.3%) 3-point attempts. Mid-Continent was able to connect on 11-of-16 free throws in the game.

The Cougars will wrap up their non-conference schedule on Thursday, hitting the road to take on the Lady Flames of Welch College (4-9) at 5:30 p.m.