BEAUMONT, Texas – After an impressive 13-point victory over Rice Saturday afternoon, the Lamar University Cardinals return to action looking to put the wraps on another homestand sweep. The Cardinals will put their perfect 4-0 home record on the line Wednesday when they step back on the court to face Southern University of New Orleans.
 
Saturday's return to the Montagne Center was exactly what the doctor ordered for the road-weary Cardinals (5-4). After playing five of the previous six on the road, LU entered the weekend contest looking to put an end to a minor three-game slide. The energized Cardinals jumped out to an early lead and never looked back posting a 73-60 decision for their fifth victory of the year and to move a game over .500 on the season.
 
Big Red now turns its attention to Southern University of New Orleans to close out the short two-game homestand in an attempt to get win No. 6. The Knights have struggled out of the gate posting a 2-8 (.200) overall record to start the 2019-20 season. Southern University has dropped three straight entering Wednesday's showdown, including a five-point setback at Southland foe Southeastern Louisiana. The Knights have also face SLC member McNeese dropping a 104-33 decision to the Cowboys earlier this season.
 
Wednesday's game will be the second time the two schools have met on the court. The only other meeting came during the 2017-18 season when LU recorded a 105-67 decision in front of a home crowd.
 
The Cardinals will be looking for a repeat performance in the first half from their previous game when they step on the floor Wednesday. The Cardinals jumped out to a nine-point lead in the first half and rode that advantage to a victory. The Cardinals got 22 points from senior T.J. Atwood on a near perfect 9-of-12 (.750) performance from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 effort from beyond the arc. He also pulled down seven rebounds, but it was the effort Big Red received from two freshmen off the bench that turned heads.
 
Freshman David Muoka came off the bench to score four points, grab five rebounds and block a career-high seven shots. Classmate Corey Nickerson scored a basket, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and recorded two steals.
 
Saturday's game will tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday from the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and televised on ESPN3.