Box Score JACKSON, Tenn. - It is, without question, the premier event in NAIA women's basketball outside of the national tournament.

For the sixth year in a row, the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions will be a part of it.

The Lady Lions face off against No. 13 St. Xavier (Ill.) University at 7:00 PM tonight in the 15th annual Rotary Classic.

"We always enjoy the tournament," said FHU head coach Dale Neal. "It's an early season preview of how we stack up against national tournament teams."

Since joining the Rotary Classic field in 2003, FHU has stacked up quite well against some of the best teams in the NAIA. The Lady Lions are 9-5 all-time in the classic and have scored wins over traditional powerhouse programs such as Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University and Oklahoma City University.

Last year, FHU defeated No. 2 Vanguard (Calif.) University and No. 3 Lee (Tenn.) University after losing its opening game to No. 16 The Master's (Calif.) College.

This year's field isn't quite as strong as last year's from a rankings standpoint, but the three opponents - St. Xavier, No. 6 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University, and No. 24 Loyola (La.) University - will nonetheless present a difficult challenge to a Lady Lion team that is still nowhere near full strength.

The Lady Lions get one player back in time for the classic. Freshman Julia Myers returns to uniform after missing six weeks with a wrist injury and will add depth in the backcourt. However, they'll still have three sitting out with various injuries including last season's second-leading scorer, Kristal Edney.

"We would like to be going into it more healthy," said Neal, "but you play the cards you're dealt."

The cards that FHU has been dealt on Thursday include a St. Xavier program that has quickly risen to national prominence since putting its first team on the floor in 2000. The Lady Cougars have made six straight appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.

On Friday, the Lady Lions will face No. 6 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University for the first time in school history. On Saturday, they close the classic against No. 24 Loyola (La.) University, which advanced to the Elite 8 last season.

"We're excited about competing against three top 25 teams," Neal said. "We appreciate the opportunity to play in the classic because of the competition and because Rotary raises a lot of money to help others."

Proceeds from the event benefit Madison-Haywood Developmental Services and Youth Town of Tennessee, and also help fund college scholarships for students from each of the high schools in Madison County.

LINKS: Game Notes | Tournament Site