BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals play their last home game before Christmas when they host the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas in a non-conference women's basketball game at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Montagne Center.
 
LU leads the all-time series 4-2, but the teams haven't met since a 65-40 Cardinals' win on Feb. 14, 1976, when Gerald R. Ford was president of the United States and the No. 1 song on Casey Kasem's American Top 40 was "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.
 
The Cardinals (2-6) look to bounce back from Monday's 57-55 loss to visiting Canisius, which snapped LU's seven-game winning streak at the Montagne Center that dated back to last season.
 
"We played pretty well, but we just didn't get some bounces to go our way," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "The passion and intensity were there. I was really happy with our effort."
 
Senior guard JaMeisha Edwards leads the Cardinals in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game. Edwards has scored in double figures in six straight games, and has had three games of at least 20 points in the last four contests.
 
"We need JaMeisha to score at least 20 points a game for us to have a chance," Harmony said. "She's been doing that for us on a consistent basis."
 
The Cardinals are getting contributions from three freshmen: guards Chastadie Barrs and Khali Pippins-Tryon along with forward Kiara Desamours. Desamours notched her first career double-double when she totaled 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against Canisius. Pippins-Tryon had a career-best 13 points against the Golden Griffins, while Barrs posted a career-high 11 rebounds against Canisius.
 
Barrs is second in the nation in steals, averaging 4.0 thefts per game. She leads LU in steals (32), assists (32) and rebounding (6.5 per game).
 
"Our freshmen just keep getting better with each game," Harmony said. "When you look at it we're starting three freshmen (Barrs, Desamours, Pippins-Tryon) and a sophomore, Laka Blache, who is essentially a freshman because she didn't see a lot of playing time last season. You can see the improvement they have made."
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-5), a Division II program that competes in the Lone Star Conference, is on a four-game losing streak. The Javelinas are led by Kaylin Roher, who averages 11.6 points per game.
 
Following Thursday's game, the Cardinals are at the Missouri Tigers (10-0) at 2 p.m. Sunday before taking a break for Christmas. After Sunday, the Cardinals return to action at 7 p.m. Dec. 30 by hosting Howard Payne in the Montagne Center in the final non-conference game of the season.
 
"We've played a tough non-conference schedule to get us ready for our Southland Conference games," Harmony said. "When conference play begins Jan. 2, we're 0-0. We'll be ready to battle for a championship."
 
Fans attending Thursday's game are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy that will be given to Toys Are Tots. Fans who donate the toys will receive a free ticket to the Jan.4 hoops doubleheader against New Orleans at the Montagne Center.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.