HENDERSON, Tenn. - Conference play begins early this year in the American Midwest, as the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions head to St. Louis to open up against Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) on Thursday.

SETTING THE STAGE
FHU (5-0) looks to stay unbeaten against a Harris-Stowe State (0-2) team that nearly upset them in the game in St. Louis last season.

LAST TIME THEY MET
After narrowly avoiding an upset in the first meeting of the season, the Lady Lions had no problems in the return game as they built a 37-point lead at halftime and won, 85-39. Hayley Newby had 16 points in 14 minutes and Kenley Crowell came off the bench to score 14 points.

NEWS, NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Seniors Grace Alonso de Armino and Hayley Newby are two of the top three offensive rebounders in the NAIA, according to the statistics. Both rank second in offensive rebounding average at 5.6 per game. Alonso de Armino also leads the NAIA in rebounding, averaging 16.4 per game.
- FHU has struggled from the floor in the early season (39.4 percent) but may have started to turn a corner following Monday's second-half performance at Cumberland (Tenn.). The Lady Lions shot nearly 60 percent in the final 20 minutes on their way to a 68-58 win.
- Newby recorded the fourth 30-point game of her career on Monday, scoring 31 in the win over Cumberland. Qiana Elam (1996-2000) has the program record for most 30-point games with 13.
- Alonso de Armino posted her fourth double-double on Monday. She now has 28 for her career and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 16 of her last 17 games.
- The Lady Lions rank in the top 10 nationally in three statistical categories - offensive rebounds per game (18.6), rebound margin (+15.6) and free throw percentage (73.3).
- Harris-Stowe's two losses have been against top 10 teams - a 92-58 loss to No. 9 Bethel (Tenn.) and a 94-46 loss to No. 5 campbellsville (Ky.). The Hornets haven't played since Nov. 8, a 106-37 exhibition loss to St. Louis University.
- The Hornets are led in scoring and rebounding by Shanique Buford, who averages 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.
- FHU had to pull away late last season in the game at Harris-Stowe, eventually pulling out a 77-70 win. HSSU shot 58.1 percent in the game, which saw 21 lead changes in the second half.

2014-15 STATISTICS: Freed-Hardeman | Harris-Stowe

COVERAGE: Live Stats