HENDERSON, Tenn.-No. 11 Freed-Hardeman used multiple big runs to pull away from Cumberland in the Mid-South Conference opener 99-69. 

Cumberland dropped their sixth straight game with the loss falling to 4-11 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The Phoenix shot 37.3% from the field and 7-of-23 from the three. The Phoenix got the line often scoring 18-of-24 free throws. 

Demarius Boyd posted his fifth 20 point game this season finishing with a game-high 20. Boyd had 10 of his points coming from the free throw. Keyshawn Robinson was the only other Phoenix to finish with double-figure points right at 10. 

Freed-Hardeman (15-2) had everything going their way as they knocked down 40-of-63 shots and 7-of-16 threes. Five Lions finish in double figures as Quan Lax led the team in scoring at 17. 

Cumberland started the game well knocking down two quick threes, but after that the Phoenix fell cold and allowed Freed-Hardeman to go on a 12-0 run. The Phoenix withstood that run and were in the game, but another 10-0 spurt put the Lions up 34-18 with five minutes left in the half. Cumberland brought it back to an 11-point deficit at the half at 48-37. 

The first ten minutes of the second half were back and forth as Freed-Hardeman still had an 11-point lead with ten minutes to play at 67-55. After that the Lions went on a 20-0 run to put the game out of hand before winning 99-69. 

Cumberland will host Campbellsville on Saturday in the first home game of 2024. Tip-off is at 3:00 p.m. following the women's game.