BEAUMONT, Texas – After a thrilling five-point victory over Northwestern State Wednesday evening in the Montagne Center, the Lamar University Cardinals return to action Saturday against the Southland leaders, and undefeated, Sam Houston State. The Cardinals step on the floor looking for their third consecutive win of the season, as well as the program's 1,000^th all-time win.
 
Winners of two straight and four of their past five games, the Cardinals (13-12/6-6 SLC) have steadily been climbing the conference ladder after a slow start to league play. After Big Red's thrilling victory Wednesday evening, the Cards have moved into sixth place in the league standings with a 13-12 (.520) overall record and a 6-6 (.500) Southland mark. The Red and White enter the weekend just a half game back of Stephen F. Austin and a half game up on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Sam Houston travels to Beaumont as the league's lone remaining undefeated team with a 12-0 mark. The Bearkats (17-8/.680 overall) have rattled off 13-straight victories and have not lost since a Dec. 22 game at Utah Valley. Despite the win streak, the Bearkats have dodged some bullets in the previous two outings. Sam Houston had to go to double overtime to defeat Abilene Christian on the road and survived a scare at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 70-69, Wednesday.
 
"Surviving a scare" was the theme of the night around the Southland Conference Wednesday as the Cardinals watched Northwestern State rally from a 15-point second-half deficit to take a three-point lead. Despite Northwestern State's rally, the Cardinals showed poise by responding to the deficit with a run of their own. The Cardinals finished the night outscoring Northwestern, 15-7, over the games final five minutes for the victory.
 
Big Red had three players finish the night in double digits led by senior Nick Garth's 23 points, while junior Jordan Hunter added 19 points (including a 9-of-10) effort from the free throw line. Senior Josh Nzeakor chipped in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds (all eight coming the second half). Junior Christian Barrett also just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
 
Saturday's contest also serves as reunion weekend as the Cardinals will welcome back to campus former coaches and players who have helped build the tradition of success at LU. The Cardinals will be recognizing the 50^th year anniversary of Jack Martin's 1968-69 squad and Billy Tubbs' 1978-79 squad. In addition, the Cardinals will also be honoring the career of James Gulley – program's third-leading scorer (1,832) and rebounder (967). The recognition will take place at halftime.
 
Saturday's game will tip off at 4:30 p.m. from the Montagne Center. The game will be carried live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN3.