BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has only one goal in front of them – to go 1-0 Saturday at Sam Houston State. Nothing else matters. To accomplish that goal, the Red and White will have to do something that no one else in the Southland has figured out and that is beating the Bearkats.
 
The Cardinals are coming off a thrilling victory Wednesday at home, defeating Incarnate Word in overtime. It was the fourth time this season – and the third time in conference play – that LU has been forced to overtime. It was also the first time the Cardinals came out on top in overtime.
 
Wednesday's victory put an end to a three-game skid as well as moving the Cardinals to 8-1 (.889) on their home floor. Unfortunately, Saturday's contest will be on the road, which has presented the Cardinals with some struggles this season (1-9).
 
On the flip side of that coin, Sam Houston State (11-8/6-0 SLC) is 7-1 (.875) when playing in front of their own fans. The lone home setback came in November to Central Michigan. The Bearkats' current seven-game streak dates back more than a month when they dropped a 14-point decision at Utah Valley. Since that time, SHSU has been nearly unstoppable.
 
The Bearkats hang their hat on defense. Ranked among the league leaders surrendering just 67.2 points per game, Sam Houston has not allowed a conference opponent to reach 70 points this season and has held two opponents to 52 or fewer points. Offensively, the 'Kats are averaging 72 points per game led by three players averaging at least 10 per night. Cameron Delaney leads the squad scoring 11.6 on the year followed by Kai Mitchell's 11.4 points per game.
 
LU is second in the Southland averaging just over 79 points per game. The Cards are one of only two teams scoring at least 79 points per outing. Big Red's biggest strength is on the boards. The Cardinals lead the Southland pulling down nearly 40 rebounds per contest. The Cardinals are led by one of the top players in the league – senior Josh Nzeakor. The Mesquite native is currently sixth in the league in scoring (15.6 ppg) and third in rebounding.
 
The Cardinals trail the all-time series against Sam Houston State, 31-35 (.470), but has won two of the past three meetings. The Cardinals came up just shy of recording a sweep last season taking an overtime victory in Beaumont (the second-straight OT win over SHSU in the Montagne Center) but falling just short on the road by two points. The Cardinals are 9-22 (.409) all-time on the road against SHSU.
 
Saturday's game is slated to tip off at 5:30 p.m. from the Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. It will be streamed live on ESPN3 and can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.