BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's basketball team plays its first game in 16 days when it hosts Loyola Chicago in a non-conference contest at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Montagne Center.
 
The Cardinals (4-3) have been idle since an 87-41 win over Southwestern University on Dec. 4. The 16-day stretch between games is LU's longest since the 1988-89 season when the Cardinals were 88-30 winners over Southern on Dec. 15 before their next game 19 days later, when they fell at New Mexico State by a 68-65 score.
 
"We're excited to get back and play a game," said LU coach Robin Harmony, who will be coaching her100th game with the Cardinals. "Final exams are done, and we can now focus on basketball."
 
The Cardinals have three home games in a little more than a week to close out the non-conference portion of the 2016-17 schedule. LU hosts Louisiana College at 7 p.m. Thursday and Howard Payne at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29. The Southland Conference schedule starts on Dec. 31 when LU travels to Central Arkansas.
 
LU enters the week ranked in the top 10 in the nation in several categories. The Cardinals are sixth in steals per game (13.4) and offensive rebounds per game (19.0). LU is eighth in turnovers forced at 23.43 per game and 10^th in turnover margin at plus-8.00.
 
Individually, Baileigh O'Dell leads the nation in 3-point field goal shooting at 62.1 percent (18-of-29). Kiandra Bowers is second in the nation in offensive rebounding at 5.71 per game. Chastadie Barrs is third in steals per game at 4.29 and 21^st in assists at 6.1 per contest.
 
Moe Kinard leads LU in scoring at 14.4 points per game, followed by Bowers at 12.4 points per outing.
 
Loyola Chicago (1-9) comes in off a 107-46 home loss to No. 17 DePaul on Sunday. The Ramblers opened the season with eight straight losses before claiming a 59-54 home win against Chicago State on Dec. 10.
 
The Ramblers are led by Kaitlyn Williams, who averages 10.3 points per game. Katie Salmon is second on the team in scoring at 8.6 points per game, while averaging a team-leading 6.1 rebounds per game.
 
Loyola Chicago leads the series 1-0 after claiming an 82-71 victory on its home floor last season.
 
Fans attending this week's games are asked to bring a new and unopened toy that will be given to Some Other Place to make someone's Christmas brighter. All fans donating a toy will receive a free general-admission ticket to the men's and women's hoops doubleheader on Dec. 29. In addition, Santa Claus will be on hand for photo opportunities starting at 6 p.m.
 
Fans attending Thursday's game will receive free hot chocolate and cookies while supplies last.
 
All home games will be shown live on ESPN3. For tickets, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.