BEAUMONT, Texas – Off to one of their best starts in program history, the Lamar University men's basketball team will put its 8-1 (.889) record on the line Sunday afternoon against Southern Illinois. The Cardinals enter the week off to their best start since the 1992-93 season, looking to move to 9-1 for the first time since 1981-82. Standing between LU and the next accomplishment is a very tough SIU squad on its home court.
 
The Salukis (5-4) enter the week a game over .500 but they're nearly unbeatable at home. SIU is 4-1 (.800) at home this season, with the lone setback coming at the hands of regional rival, Southeast Missouri State (75-69). The Salukis are coming off a 14-point victory over Jackson State Wednesday evening. Sunday's contest will be the third of a four-game homestand for the Salukis.
 
Led by three players averaging in double figures, the Salukis are averaging better than 70 points per game, but have scored just 69 points in each of its past three games. SIU shoots nearly 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Despite averaging better than 81 points per contest, LU's has been mired in a similar situation to that of Southern Illinois offensively. Prior to the 112-point outburst against Howard Payne, the Cardinals haven't scored more than 69 points in the in the previous three games.
 
Led by senior Colton Weisbrod's 14.8 points per game, Big Red is outscoring opponents by 18 points per game. Weisbrod is one of four Cardinals who is averaging better than 10 points per game. The Cardinals are shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. LU is holding opponents to less than 40 percent from the field.
 
In addition to trying to improve upon an 8-1 overall mark, the Cardinals are looking to protect their perfect record away from the Golden Triangle. The Cardinals are 3-0 in road games this season – the first time since 2011-12 that LU has won three non-conference road games – and the best start on the road since the 1981-82 season. That year LU defeated Hawaii, Utah and Florida Southern on the road to start the year.
 
Sunday's meeting will be the fourth meeting all-time between LU and the Salukis. Southern Illinois holds a 2-1 (.667) record in those games, but LU has outscored the Salukis in the three meetings. Sunday's game will be the first meeting since the 1970-71 season.
 
The game also gives LU head coach Tic Price his first opportunity to climb above the .500 mark since taking over the Cardinals' program. He is 54-54 (.500) during his four seasons with LU. The Cardinals won just six games in the two seasons prior to his arrival.
 
Sunday's game will tip off at 3 p.m. from the SIU Arena in Carbondale, Ill. It can also be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI, and seen on ESPN3.
 
-LU CARDINALS-