BEAUMONT, Texas – When fans arrive at the Montagne Center Wednesday for Lamar University's next home game they will see double as Big Red will be hosting the Cardinals from Incarnate Word. The two teams enter the week with more in common than a shared nickname. Both are trying to battle their way through some early season struggles in Southland Conference play. The two are tied for 11^th in the league standings just five games into the season.
 
For the Red and White, the Cardinals have lost three straight and four of the past five games – including consecutive losses in overtime that saw LU with a chance to win the game at the free throw line in regulation. The Cardinals are looking for their first victory since a Jan. 5^th contest versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
UIW travels to Beaumont having lost three straight and seven of their last eight games. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals are also looking for their first W since a Jan. 5 (65-58 vs. Nicholls). UIW has faced its fair share of heartbreak during its recent struggles. The Southland's other Cardinals dropped a three-point decision to Stephen F. Austin Saturday.
 
LU brings the Southland's second-ranked offense into the contest. Big Red is averaging nearly 80 points per contest (78.6 ppg), and currently ranks third in the conference in field goal percentage. The Cards also lead the league in rebounds pulling down nearly 40 per contest (39.8 rpg).
 
UIW has struggled at times this season on the offensive side of the ball. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals are 12^th in the league standings averaging fewer than 65 points per game (64.8 ppg) but rank fourth in the league in field goal percentage. UIW has also struggled on the boards in 2018-19 currently last in the league pulling down fewer than 29 rebounds per contest (28.1 rpg).
 
In addition to the previously listed similarities, the two schools have one more thing in common. They both have won the same number of games against each other. The series record stands at 4-4 with LU having won each of the past three meetings and holds a 3-1 (.750) record in Beaumont.
 
Wednesday's game will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI. It will also be streamed live on ESPN+. The game will serve as the Coaches vs. Cancer week for the Cardinals. The coaching staffs from both UIW and LU will be wearing tennis shoes during the game. The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.