BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals look to extend their winning streak to six games when it hosts the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets in a non-conference women's basketball game at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Montagne Center.
 
The Cardinals (6-3) have been especially dominant at home this season, posting a 5-0 mark at the Montagne Center and outscoring their opponents by an average of 34.4 points per game.
 
"We love playing in front of our fans," said LU senior post player Kiandra Bowers, who leads the nation in offensive rebounding at 5.89 per game. "We get great support here, and that definitely inspires us."
 
The Cardinals have used strong defense to propel them on their five-game winning streak. LU leads the nation in turnover margin at plus-10.33 per game, while being tied for the national lead in turnovers forced at 25.11 per game and in steals per game (14.0).
 
Individually, sophomore guard Chastadie Barrs is third in the nation in steals per game at 4.67 and 22^nd in assists per game at 6.0. Junior guard Baileigh O'Dell is third in the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage, connecting on 56.8 percent (21-of-37) of her shots from beyond the arc.
 
Sophomore guard Moe Kinard leads LU in scoring at 15.4 points per game. Bowers averages 12.9 points and a team-best 9.4 rebounds per game.
 
Howard Payne (7-5), a member of the Division III American Southwest Conference, where it has a 4-1 record. The Yellow Jackets had their five-game win streak snapped with a 61-57 loss to Texas-Dallas on Dec. 17.
 
The Yellow Jackets have three scorers in double figures, led by Micah Cisneroz at 16.6 points per game. Sarahi Castillo averages 14.4 points and a team-leading 9.7 boards per outing. Valarie Matlock averages 12.2 points per game.
 
Thursday's game is the final non-conference contest of the season for LU. The Cardinals are slated to hop on a bus immediately following the game to head to Conway, Ark., where they open Southland Conference play vs. Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Cardinals return home to host New Orleans in a Southland Conference game at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5.
 
Thursday's game will be streamed live on ESPN3. For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.