BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has entered the final stretch of the 2018-19 season. With just seven games remaining on the Southland Conference regular-season schedule, teams are fighting to improve their seed in the league's postseason tournament. Winners in four of their past six games, the Cardinals have put themselves in the heart of the conference tournament race.
 
After a slow start to the conference season, the Cardinals (12-12/5-6 SLC) have climbed their way from 11^th in the standings into a tie for seventh and are coming off one of their best performances of the season. After hitting consecutive three-pointers to open the game, the Cardinals never trailed against the defending Southland Conference tournament champion Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.
 
The Cardinals put together one of their most dominating rebound performances in program history by building a 41-13 rebounding edge over SFA. Big Red finished the game with more offensive rebounds than SFA had total boards, and junior Christian Barrett (12 rebounds) finished the night with one fewer rebound than what SFA had as a team. To make that number even more impressive, LU was without the services of leading rebounder Josh Nzeakor who spent a good majority of the game on the bench with early foul trouble.
 
The Red and White will now turn their attention to Northwestern State who sits just on the outside looking in. The Demons (9-15/4-7 SLC) currently sit 10^th in the conference standings just a half game back of Nicholls and only a game back of LU and Central Arkansas.
 
The Demons are hoping they've caught fire just at the right time. After dropping four straight, Northwestern State has bounced back to win two of the past three, including road wins at Central Arkansas and McNeese.  
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series against Northwestern State but LU has switched the momentum in the series since the arrival of Tic Price has head coach. The Cardinals hold a 28-26 (.519) all-time record against Northwestern State and have had the upper hand in the past four seasons. The Cardinals have won each of the previous four meetings, which includes a two-point decision last season in Natchitoches, La. The Cardinals are 19-6 (.760) all-time against Northwestern in Beaumont.
 
Big Red steps on the court Wednesday looking to take another step toward a program milestone. The Cardinals enter the week with 998 all-time wins. The Cardinals are just two wins shy of 1,000 and if they can get past Northwestern State it would set up unique moment for LU to go after win No. 1,000 Saturday against Sam Houston State on reunion weekend. The Cardinals will be honoring the 1968-69 and 1978-79 squads on reunion weekend, as well as honoring the career LU great James Gulley – program's third-leading scorer and rebounder.
 
Before any of that can happen, the Cardinals must get past Northwestern State Wednesday. The game against the Demons is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center. It can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and will be streamed live on ESPN+.