HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lions took control of the American Midwest Conference last week, and will attempt to keep their cushion atop the standings as they visit Missouri Baptist on Thursday for a 7:30 PM tip-off.

GAME COVERAGE
Video: Spartan Digital Network
Stats: Live Stats

SETTING THE STAGE
The No. 4 Lions (19-2, 14-1) earned an important win on Saturday, downing then-No. 13 Columbia (Mo.) on the road, 75-69. The win pushed FHU's lead in conference to two games. The Spartans (4-17, 3-11) played FHU tough in the first half earlier this season and will be looking to do it for 40 minutes on their home floor while hoping to break a three-game skid.

LAST TIME THEY MET
The Spartans opened the game on a 10-0 run and led by as many as 11 points in the first half before FHU came back to get within three by halftime, and then dominanted the second half for a 90-74 win on Dec. 18, 2014. Evan Forhetz had 21 points and nine assists.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Lions have won all three games against MBU since joining the American Midwest Conference, with their win in December giving them a 5-4 lead in the all-time series.

BIG WIN
The Lions' 75-69 win over Columbia on Saturday was a big one, as it gives FHU a two-game lead in the conference standings with seven games to play. The outcome of tonight's Columbia/Lindenwood-Belleville game will have major implications as well for FHU - a Columbia win would mean the Lions could lose two of their last seven and still be the No. 1 overall seed in the conference tournament.

ON THE RISE
FHU moved up one spot to No. 4 in this week's NAIA national rankings. It marked the 16th time in the last 17 polls in which Freed-Hardeman has been ranked in the top 10.

DOUBLE UP
Junior forward Isaiah Harrison is continuing to develop into a force inside. The 6-foot-8 Harrison has posted double-doubles in two of his last three games, most recently with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Columbia. His increased interior scoring is providing a nice balance to FHU's trio of perimeter threats.

SWAT TEAM
The Lions have made life tough on opponents with their inside defense and shot-blocking ability. Coming off a season-high nine swats on Saturday, FHU now ranks 11th in the nation in total blocks. Three players - Vincent Dotson (1.5), Isaiah Harrison (1.1) and Joseph Williams (1.1) average better than a block per game.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
It's been a rough stretch lately for the Spartans, who have lost six of their last seven and scored a season-low 47 points in their last outing. But MBU still has some dangerous scorers, led by Chris Buzzell (16.4 ppg) and Stephen Buckner II (14.2 ppg). One of their biggest problems is scoring depth, though, as only five players average better than six points per game. MBU has also struggled defensively, allowing opponents to shoot 47.1 percent from the floor and 36.0 percent from 3-point range.