NASHVILLE - With the regular season tipping off in less than a month, the Lipscomb women’s basketball team hosts Freed-Hardeman for its first exhibition match of the 2015-16 season Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Allen Arena.

The Lady Bisons return nine players from the 2014-15 season, including three seniors, from an 8-21 squad that finished seventh in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Lipscomb’s leading returning scorer and rebounder is senior Ashley Southern. The unanimous Preseason Atlantic Sun All-Conference Team member averaged 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, the second and fifth highest marks in the conference last season.

Senior sharpshooters Chandler Cooper and Kelli Smith also return for the Purple and Gold. Cooper made the third most three-pointers in the A-Sun last season with 60, while Smith shot .424 from behind the arc, one of the highest marks in the lead.

Junior Alex Banks and sophomore Loren Cagle should factor heavily into head coach Greg Brown’s playing rotation this season as well. Both should see an increase in their playing time from last season.

Incoming freshman Jessica Davies and Morgan Turner will get their first chance to suit up for the Lady Bisons.

Freed-Hardeman made the NAIA Fab Four in the spring, where they lost to Campbellsville 56-52. Hayley Newby, who the Lady lions lost to graduation, won the NAIA National Player of the Year.

The Lady Bisons will play one last exhibition game against Young Harris College Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Allen Arena before kicking off the regular season Nov. 13 at home against Loyola (MD).