HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions look to head into Christmas break with their lead atop the American Midwest Conference in tact as they host Missouri Baptist University tonight at 7:30 PM.

GAME COVERAGE
Video: Freed-Hardeman Game Central
Audio: Freed-Hardeman Game Central; FM91 (John Armstrong, Play-by-Play; Ryan Parnell, Color)
Stats: Live Stats

SETTING THE STAGE
The 10th-ranked Lions (9-1, 5-0) are coming off a comfortable 74-53 win at William Woods (Mo.) on Tuesday, marking their third straight win. The Spartans (1-10, 0-4) have struggled this season so far, having lost 10 straight games after opening the year with a win. MBU dropped an 84-74 decision to Crowleys's Ridge (Ark.) College on Dec. 13 in its last outing.

LAST TIME THEY MET
Missouri Baptist cut a 17-pont deficit down to eight early in the second half, but Damion Wooten caught fire and the Lions went on to a 92-74 win to sweep the season series. Wooten had 22 points to lead all scorers in the win.

INSIDE THE SERIES
FHU swept two regular-season meetings last year to even the all-time series up at 4-4.

TOP 10 AGAIN
After not being in the preseason polls, an 8-1 start has vaulted the Lions back into the NAIA Top 10 again. The Lions have been ranked in the top 10 in 12 of the last 13 ratings.

RHYMES WITH THREES
After a slow start to the season from 3-point range, Ben Meis has reversed course over his last five. The 6-foot-6 senior from Memphis, Tenn., has made 22 of his last 48 attempts from behind the arc and is averaging 18.0 points per game since Nov. 24. He's made six or more 3's in three of his last five games.

FORHETZ CHECK
Junior guard Evan Forhetz continues to lead the NAIA in assists, averaging 7.2 per game thus far this season. He had nine assists in Tuesday's win over William Woods (Mo.), the eighth time in 10 games where he has dished out six or more assists. He's also scored in double-figures in every game but one while shooting 53.7 percent from 3-point range.

PLAYING TO HIS STRENGTHS
Senior forward Vincent Dotson hasn't shot the ball much this season, but when he does there's a good chance it's going in. Dotson has made 29-of-40 shots from the field for 72.5 percent. He also leads the conference in rebounding, averaging 9.1 per game, and has blocked 13 shots.

STRONG STRETCH FOR SHELL
Sophomore Stephen Shell has been playing some solid basketball as of late, giving the Lions quality minutes as both a starter and a reserve. Over his last five games, Shell is averaging 7.8 points per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the floor.

3-POINT EFFICIENCY
Freed-Hardeman ranks 13th in the NAIA in both 3-pointers made per game (8.3) and 3-point percentage (38.8). The team's top four scorers have all made 14 or more 3's, while Ben Meis's 29 leading the way.

LEWIS LOOKING TO BREAK SLUMP
Senior guard Cameron Lewis has been outstanding in his first season with Freed-Hardeman, but has run into a mini-slump as of late. In his last two, Lewis has made just 5-of-32 shots from the floor and has been held to a combined 14 points. He still averages 17.8 points per game and could very likely break out of his slump tonight.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Missouri Baptist has been a very guard-oriented team so far this season, with their top three scorers all in the backcourt. Chris Buzzell, the 2014 AMC Freshman of the Year, leads the team in scoring with 17.2 points per game. Adrian Kuyina and Stephen Buckner II are also dangerous scorers, averaging 14.8 and 14.2 points per game respectively. Where the Spartans have mostly struggled this season is on defense, as they allow 80.4 points per game. Opponents are shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from 3-point range against them thus far.

HOUSTON HEAVY
The Spartans seem to have a strong recruiting connection in Houston, Texas. Nine of the 14 players on their roster are from the Houston metropolitan area.