HENDERSON, Tenn. - After a road win over an NCAA Division I opponent in an exhibition last week, the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions will open the 2014-15 regular season as they visit former TranSouth Conference opponent Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College for a 5:15 tip-off.

SETTING THE STAGE: FHU (0-0) vs. Martin Methodist (3-0)
Expectations are high as usual for FHU, especially coming off its win over NCAA D-I Lipscomb (Tenn.) On Thursday. However, an unbeaten RedHawks squad will be looking for an early-season signature win under first-year head coach Kyle Bent.

LAST TIME THEY MET
FHU built a 24-point lead late in the first half, but the RedHawks went on a furious rally in the second half and pulled within two points on five occasions including with 1:06 to play. However, Natalie Shumpert went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win and the 2013 TranSouth Conference Championship in Henderson on March 5, 2013.

NEWS, NOTES AND NUMBERS
- FHU has won nine straight games in the series between the schools and leads the all-time series, 40-4. The RedHawks' last win came on Jan. 21, 2010, in Pulaski by the score of 65-60.
- One of the things that has not changed for MMC under new head coach Kyle Bent is the team's propensity for rebounding. The RedHawks are averaging 54 rebounds per game, including 25 per game on the offensive end. FHU was also one of the top rebounding teams in the nation last year, so the battle of the boards could be a good indicator of which direction this game goes.
- The Lady Lions are ranked No. 2 in the NAIA preseason poll while the RedHawks are in the receiving votes category. FHU is coming off an 89-81 exhibition win over NCAA D-I Lipscomb (Tenn.) University. Paige Melville led the team in scoring with 25 points while Hayley Newby had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
- Newcomer Haley Rutledge leads Martin Methodist in scoring in the early season with 12.5 points per game. Three of the team's top four scorers thus far are in their first seasons with the program.
- Tonight's game will mark the first time that FHU has opened a season on the road since Nov. 7, 1997, when the Lady Lions lost at Lambuth (Tenn.), 98-91. FHU opened the 2003-04 season at a neutral site with a 68-59 win over Claflin (S.C.) College.
- FHU has won 12 straight season-openers. The team's last season-opening loss was against Lambuth on Nov. 6, 2001 (82-80).
- Freed-Hardeman returns two first-team NAIA All-Americans in Hayley Newby and Grace Alonso de Armino. The duo combined for 45 double-doubles last season. Newby averaged 19.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while Alonso de Armino averaged 13.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per contest. Alonso de Armino needs 26 points to reach 1000 for her career.

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