Box Score HENDERSON, Tenn. - Sole possession of first place in the TranSouth Conference is on the line today as the No. 20 Freed-Hardeman Lions host No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.) University.
WHERE: FHU Sports Center, 8:00 PM tip-off
ON THE AIR: WFHU, 91.5 FM. Pregame begins at 3:45. Live streaming video and audio can also be accessed via gofhulions.com.
RECORDS: No. 20 Freed-Hardeman is 16-6 overall and 8-1 in conference; No. 7 Cumberland is 18-2 overall and 8-1 in conference.
SERIES: FHU leads 29-24
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Cumberland has steadily climbed the NAIA polls, coming in at No. 7 for the second week in a row with an impressive overall record of 18-2. The team's two losses have come by a combined three points.
As if the Bulldogs weren't good enough beforehand, they added another NCAA D-I transfer in Brandon Powell (Florida and Marshall) at semester. Powell has made an immediate impact, scoring 12.6 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from 3-point range.
Three others average in double figures for Cumberland: Brandon Springer (13.6), Thomas Douglas (12.6), and Rontreal Braxton (10.1). The Bulldogs play a very physical, aggressive game on both ends of the floor and the Lions will have to be mentally ready to match that level of intensity.
LION LOWDOWN- Same spot: The Lions remained at No. 20 in the NAIA national ratings released on Monday, tied for the spot with LSU-Shreveport. Two other TranSouth Conference teams are in the top 10: Union at No. 9 and Cumberland at No. 7.
- Nine straight: FHU has won nine games in a row dating back to Dec. 12, 2008. During the winning streak, the Lions are averaging 83.4 points per game while allowing opponents an average of only 65.3 points per contest. It is the program's longest winning streak since 2001-02, when FHU won 15 straight games.
- Climbing the scoring ladder: Lion senior Kristoffer Smith needs four points to pass Stephen Fields for 13th on FHU's all-time scoring list. Smith has 1,421 points in his career.
- Trevillian in rare company: Only 12 players in Lion history have amassed over 300 career assists. Shun Trevillian is one of them despite missing the second half of the season last year. The Memphis native had 331 career assists.
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