BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's basketball team hosts Southwestern University at noon Sunday to open a four-game homestand that marks the conclusion of the non-conference portion of the schedule.
 
The Cardinals (3-3) are 2-0 at the Montagne Center this season, outscoring the visitors by an average of 30.5 points per game.
 
"It will be nice to be at home for a while after all the traveling we did in November," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "We always enjoy playing in front of our fans, who give us great support."
 
LU comes in on a two-game winning streak. The Cardinals were 75-60 winners at home vs. Northern Arizona on Nov. 23 before posting a 65-51 triumph over Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 26.
 
The Cardinals rank among the national leaders in creating turnovers. LU is 19^th in steals per game at 12.5 and 20^th in turnovers forced at 22.50 per game. LU's turnover margin of +6.83 per game is 28^th in the nation. Sophomore guard Chastadie Barrs is 12^th in the nation at 3.67 per game, while senior post player Kiandra Bowers is 30^th at 3.17 steals per game.
 
LU's pressure defense could cause problems for the Pirates (1-5), who average 22.8 turnovers per game. Southwestern's turnover ratio is minus-6.17 per game.
 
Sophomore guard Moe Kinard continues to lead LU in scoring at 15.3 points per game. Bowers is second on the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, while collecting a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game. Bowers is eights in the nation in offensive rebounding at 5.2 per game.
 
Southwestern, which is on a two-game skid following Tuesday's 82-67 loss at Howard Payne, is led by Tori Carraway, who averages team-best figures of 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Madison Edwards is second on the team in scoring at 8.0 points per contest.
 
Sunday's game is just the second meeting between the two programs. The only other meeting was back on Jan. 6, 1986, with LU posting a 73-66 home win.
 
Following Sunday's game, the Cardinals will take a break for final exams. LU's next game Is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 20 vs. Loyola Chicago. All LU home games will be on ESPN3, which is available through WatchESPN, which is available on your computer, smart phone, tablet, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
 
General admission tickets for Sunday's game vs. Southwestern are just $1. For tickets, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.