CONWAY, Ark. – The Lamar University Cardinals look to match the fifth-longest winning streak in program history when they face host Central Arkansas in the Southland Conference women's basketball opener for both teams at 2 p.m. Saturday. LU, which has won six straight games, seeks its first seven-game winning streak since the 2010-11 season.
 
The Cardinals (7-3) are off to their best start since the 2012-13 season, when they also stood at 7-3 after 10 games. LU will have its work cut out against the Sugar Bears (8-2), who are the defending Southland Conference Tournament champions.
 
"We know this the part of the season that really matters," said LU sophomore guard Chastadie Barrs, who leads the nation in steals with an average of 5.1 per game. "We expect big things this season. We know we have the talent to compete for a championship."
 
LU enters the weekend ranked first in the nation in turnover margin at plus-10.1 per game. LU also leads the nation in steals per game (14.7) and turnovers forced (25.60 per game). Individually, in addition to Barrs' steal numbers, senior post player Kiandra Bowers leads the nation in offensive rebounding at 6.2 per game. Junior guard Baileigh O'Dell is fourth in the nation in 3-point percentage at 53.7 percent (22-of-41).
 
Central Arkansas has been idle since a 69-55 win over Houston on Dec. 20. The Sugar Bears are fourth in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 50.0 points per game.
 
Central Arkansas has four players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Kierra Jordan's 14.3 points per game.
 
Sophomore guard Moe Kinard leads the Cardinals in scoring at 14.7 points per game. Bowers averages 13.3 points per game, while her average of 9.9 rebounds per game is second in the Southland Conference.
 
LU holds a 9-7 edge in the all-time series with Central Arkansas.
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on KLVI (AM 560). Following Saturday's game, the Cardinals return to the Montagne Center to open a three-game homestand by hosting New Orleans at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5. For tickets for all LU home games, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.