WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Lamar University junior guard Chastadie Barrs has not only picked up from where she left off last season, she has accelerated the pace.
 
Barrs, who led the nation in steals last year at 4.67 per game, is again atop the national charts in steals, averaging 7.33 thefts per game over LU's first three contests. The two-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year is tied for the national lead in triple-doubles with two. Barrs, who has had at least one steal in all 64 games in her career, has had back-to-back triple-doubles as the Cardinals (2-1) rolled to home wins over Louisiana College and Southwestern Assemblies of God.
 
The challenge for Barrs and the Cardinals gets tougher on Saturday, as LU is on the road to meet the undefeated Purdue Boilermakers (2-0) of the Big 10. Purdue has received votes in both national top-25 polls.
 
"We know Purdue is a good team, but we know that playing quality teams helps us get better and prepare for our conference season," Harmony said.
 
Barrs has also been producing offensively for the Cardinals, averaging a team-best 18.0 points per game, good for second in the conference. Her 7.33 assists per game lead the conference and rank 33^rd nationally. Barrs also leads the team in rebounding, pulling down an average of 7.7 boards per outing.
 
"Chas continues to work hard and keeps getting better," Harmony said.
 
Purdue, which opened the season with a road win over Central Michigan before defeating Miami (Ohio) at home, has four players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by Andreona Keys at 15.5 points per game. The Boilermakers are connecting on 49.6 percent (59-of-119) of their shots this season.
 
Saturday's game will be streamed online by Big 10 Network+.
 
The Cardinals return home to host Howard Payne at 7 p.m. Tuesday before embarking on a three-game road swing. LU will play two games at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic, facing North Dakota on Nov. 24 and Northern Illinois on Nov. 25 before heading to Stockton, California, to take on the Pacific Tigers on Nov. 30.
 
Fans attending Tuesday's game will receive a free rally towel when they bring at least three canned-food items to the game as part of the Cardinals Canned Food Drive. Suggested items include canned meats, peanut butter, cereals, canned fruits or vegetables, pasta, cereal, rice and canned soups and stews. All donations will be given to the Food Bank of Southeast Texas.
 
For season tickets and individual-game tickets, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. It reopens one hour prior to tipoff on weeknights and weekends. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members are admitted for free when they present their membership badge.