PULASKI, Tenn. - After fending off Mid-Continent (Ky.) University last week, Martin Methodist returns to action Thursday night when it travels to No. 23 Bethel University in a pivotal TranSouth matchup.
Playing in their final regular season home game, the RedHawks (14-14, 3-3 TranSouth) picked up the 64-52 win over Mid-Continent to earn sole possession of third place in the conference.
After playing their last six games at home, the RedHawks will hit the road in Thursday's matchup against the Lady Wildcats (18-9, 2-4), who were upset by Blue Mountain (Miss.) College last Saturday.
In addition to a potential second-place league finish still within reach of both teams, Thursday's return tilt figures to be competitive after the RedHawks turned in an impressive 68-59 win over the then 13th-ranked Lady Wildcats on Jan. 31.
The RedHawks enter Thursday's game as the premier rebounding team in the NAIA, ranking first in both offensive rebounds (20.1) and total rebounds per game (46.7).
Jessy Christopher leads the RedHawks offensively; averaging 12.7 points and 3.0 assists a night. Christopher was also a major factor in the first meeting between the two squads, scoring a game-high 22 points while tracking down nine rebounds and handing out three assists.
Kyra Knight was also a difference maker in the first matchup, finishing with 15 points on an impressive 5-of-6 shooting effort. The junior also added five points at the free-throw line and finished one rebound shy of her sixth double-double.
Keri O'Neal also figures to be a factor in Thursday's matchup on both ends of the floor. Entering Thursday's matchup, O'Neal leads the RedHawks in rebounds (9.2), steals (1.7), and blocks (1.58) per game. O'Neal has also recorded a team-best eight double-doubles this season.
Defensively, the Redhawks will have to look out for Alisha Gentry, who leads the Lady Wildcats in scoring at 13.6 points a game. Gentry has scored in double-figures in all but six contests so far this season for the Lady Wildcats.
Down low, the RedHawks will have to limit Perica Glenn, who averages 10.3 points to go along with a team-high 7.0 rebounds a night.
With a win Thursday, the RedHawks can pull even with Blue Mountain for second place in the conference, with the league's outright runner-up finish on the line when the two teams meet Saturday in Mississippi.
Tipoff in Thursday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Crisp Center in McKenzie, Tenn. Special live audio coverage of Thursday's game can be heard on MMCTV.
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