BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's basketball team returns to action Saturday against the hottest team in the Southland Conference, Houston Baptist. One of the surprises of the 2015-16 season, the Huskies have jumped out to an 11-7 overall record and lead the league with a 6-0 conference mark. The Cardinals come into the matchup looking to erase the memory of a 98-70 setback at Southeastern Louisiana Monday evening – a game that saw the Lions shoot nearly 60 percent from the field and better than 56 percent from beyond the arc. The Cardinals (10-8/2-4 SLC) are clinging to the seventh spot in the conference standings after having dropped three of their past four games.
 
Monday's game turned out to be a case of same song, different verse for the Cardinals. LU struggled out of the gates in the first half, while their opponents were on fire from the opening tip recording one of their best shooting performances of the season. The Cardinals looked like a different team in the second half but dug themselves too big of a hole early on.
 
The loss at Southeastern Louisiana was a setback for the Cards following an impressive second-half against Northwestern State. The Cards trailed by as many 12 points in the second half but rallied to win by four points.
 
Despite their struggles in the win column, the Cardinals still remain among the league leaders in scoring and rebounding. Big Red ranks third in scoring (78.6 ppg) and tops in rebounding (43.4 rpg). The Cardinals are the league's only team averaging at least 40 rebounds per game. LU also leads the Southland pulling down 15.9 offensive rebounds per game.
 
That sets up an interesting matchup Saturday in the Montagne Center. The Huskies come to Beaumont ranked fourth in the league averaging 77.3 points per contest, and are ranked third in the league in rebounds (38.7 rpg), including an SLC best 27.7 defensive rebounds per contest.
 
Winners of seven straight, and nine of their last 11, the Huskies are led by senior guard Anthony Odunsi. The Sugar Land, Texas native, is currently fourth in the league averaging 16.9 points per game.
 
One of the top freshman in the SLC, Nick Garth continues to lead the Cardinals scoring better than 14 points per game. Senior Dontavious Sears and freshman Josh Nzeakor have been providing help at both ends of the floor as well. Sears has recorded a double-double in four of his last five games, and currently leads the Southland with five double-doubles this season, while Nzeakor has become one of the league's top rebounders over the course of the past couple weeks. After recording 36 rebounds in the team's first 13 games, Nzeakor has come to life over the course of the past five games. He has pulled down 53 rebounds over the course of the past five games averaging better than 10 per contest during that time.
 
Saturday's game is slated to tip off at 4:30 p.m. from the Montagne Center, and will be the second game of a doubleheader with the LU women. The game will also be televised on ESPN3.
 
Following their game with HBU, the Red and White will hit the road to face another undefeated squad in defending Southland champions, Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks are going in search of their third consecutive conference title, but are currently locked in a traffic jam at the top of the SLC standings. SFA is one of three remaining undefeated teams battling for the conference's top spot (HBU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi). SFA has won five-straight games dating back to a 10-point loss against Alabama-Birmingham to close out the non-conference schedule on Dec. 29.
 
Led by reigning SLC Player of the Year, Thomas Walkup, the Lumberjacks lead the Southland in scoring and rebounding. The 'Jacks are averaging nearly 80 points per game (79.8), while holding opponents to less than 67 (66.7). Walkup leads SFA at close to 16 points per game and is second on the squad pulling down six rebounds per contest.

All LU basketball campers who wear their 2015 camp T-shirts will receive free admission to the game. LU students who live in on-campus residence halls will have a chance to compete for a pizza party (based on attendance). 
 
Monday's game is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. It will also be televised on ESPN3.
 
-LU CARDINALS-