BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals still control their own destiny when it comes to securing a berth in next month's Southland Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Katy, Texas.
 
The Cardinals (10-17 overall, 6-10 Southland) can punch their own ticket to the tourney by winning their remaining two regular-season games: 2 p.m. Saturday at Incarnate Word and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sam Houston State. LU, which has dropped four straight games, could still qualify for the tourney with one or no wins in the final two games, but the Cardinals would need help on the out-of-town scoreboard for that to happen.
 
The first step takes place in San Antonio when LU meets Incarnate Word (6-20, 3-12) in a battle of the Cardinals. LU is 4-0 all-time against Incarnate Word, including a 59-49 home win behind 22 points from senior guard Addesha Collins and 19 points from freshman guard Chastadie Barrs on Feb. 6.
 
"We are desperate for a W," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "We have to be focused. We have to play smart. No matter how ugly it is, we have to get a win. It would be a longshot for us to get in without winning."
 
Incarnate Word, which is playing its final home game of the season, is 0-8 in Southland Conference home contests this season.
 
"That record is deceiving because a lot of their home games have been close," Harmony said of Incarnate Word. "They should have a good crowd because it's a doubleheader and it's their Senior Day. It won't be an easy game. We can't take them for granted."
 
Collins, the only senior on the LU squad, leads the Cards in scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game, which is fifth in the conference. Collins is averaging 18.5 points per game in conference contests, which ranks third in the SLC. She has scored in double digits in six straight games, and had her streak of five consecutive games with at least 20 points snapped Wednesday when she netted 14 points against McNeese State.
 
LU continues to get solid play from two freshmen: Barrs and Kiara Desamours. Desamours leads all SLC freshmen in rebounding at 7.2 per game. Her scoring average of 10.8 points per game is second among SLC freshmen. In conference games, Desamours averages 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per outing, which is tops among conference freshmen.
 
Barrs is second in the nation in steals, averaging 4.19 thefts per game. She is fifth in the conference in assists, averaging 3.6 per game, the only freshman in the top 10 in the league.
 
"Our freshmen have really stepped up lately," Harmony said. "Chastadie should be the defensive player of the year in our conference, while Kiara has to be freshman of the year."
 
Incarnate Word, which is on a six-game losing streak, is led by senior point guard Aricka Adams, who averages 12. 9 points per game. Junior guard Brianna Williams averages 11.8 points per game.
 
Saturday's game is the opening contest of a hoops doubleheader, with the men's game between LU and Incarnate Word scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. Both games will air will air live on KLVI (AM 560). LU will return home immediately after the game as they begin preparations for Wednesday's regular-season finale at Sam Houston State.