HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions face a tough week on the road, and it starts tonight with a visit to Park (Mo.) University at 7:30 PM.

GAME COVERAGE
Live Video: Pirate Sports Network (pay-per-view)
Stats: Live Stats

SETTING THE STAGE
FHU (17-2, 12-1) moved back into the NAIA top 5 this week for the first time in nearly a year, coming in at No. 5. Park (8-8, 7-5) has started to find its rhythm in winning four of its last six games despite dealing with injuries to key players all season.

LAST TIME THEY MET
FHU tied a program record with 17 3-pointers as the Lions blew past Park, 83-64, on Dec. 4, 2014, in a game played at Union University in Jackson, Tenn. Ben Meis scored 21 points and knocked down a career-high seven 3-pointers.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Last year marked the first-ever meetings between the two programs. FHU has won all three contests.

TIGHT RACE
The Lions enter the week with a one-game lead in the AMC standings over No. 13 Columbia (Mo.) College, the team FHU will face on Saturday. If the Lions can win both games this week, they will be in the driver's seat for the regular season conference championship.

TRIPLING UP
FHU continues to be one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the NAIA, ranking fifth in 3's made per game (9.3) and seventh in 3-point percentage (39.6). The Lions feature four players that shoot 38 percent or better from behind the arc - Evan Forhetz (45.2), Cameron Lewis (41.2), Ben Meis (40.5) and Trevor Randolph (38.0). Those four have combined for 168 of the team's 176 3-pointers made on the season.

SWAT TEAM
The Lions are also among the best in the NAIA in shot-blocking. FHU ranks 13th in the nation, averaging 4.0 blocks per game. Vincent Dotson (1.4), Joseph Williams (1.1) and Isaiah Harrison (1.0) all make it difficult on opponents who take shots in the paint.

HARRISON HELPS
The return of junior forward Isaiah Harrison has given the Lions a boost inside on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-8 Harrison is averaging 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in six games back in the lineup while shooting 56.4 percent from the field.

SCOUTING THE PIRATES
Park had high hopes coming into the season but lost two-time all-conference selection Xavielle Brown to injury before the season, and have dealt with more injury issues since. However, the addition of Mylin Jordan to the lineup has given the Pirates new life. Jordan is averaging 18.5 points per game through six contests, adding to the scoring punch of Freddie Manyawu (11.5 ppg) and John Kotsanos (9.9 ppg). Park likes to heavily pressure the ball and force turnovers - the Pirates average 9.2 steals per game and force an average of 16.8 turnovers per game. It could make for an interesting matchup with an FHU team that does well with ball control (13.6 turnovers per game).