BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will travel down I-10 Saturday looking to right the ship when it steps on the court to face Houston Baptist. The Cardinals enter the weekend showdown looking to bounce back from their roughest stretch of season having dropped consecutive games and four of their past six outings. Even with the recent struggles, the Cardinals enter the away contest 8-8 (.500) overall and tied for seventh in Southland Conference play.
 
The Cardinals were aided Wednesday by the fact that top two teams in the standings – both undefeated heading into the game – suffered losses (Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian). Big Red currently sits just a game back of Northwestern State and Central Arkansas in the standings, and just 1.5 games back of ACU.
 
The Cardinals have been hurt in the previous two outings due to turnovers. Big Red coughed up the ball 22 times against ACU and 23 times against Nicholls. Those turnovers led to a total 53 points for LU's opponents. The Cards will look to limit the turnovers Saturday and get back to their dominant ways in the paint.
 
The Cardinals continue to lead the Southland in rebounds but have either been tied or beaten on the boards in the previous two games. Junior Avery Sullivan who was averaging 10 rebounds per game has been limited to 11 rebounds total in the team's previous two outings.
 
The Huskies will be looking to protect their home floor and right the ship on what has been a tough start to the season. HBU is 1-11 (.083) on the season but has split its previous two games. The Huskies picked up their first win of the season just over a week ago when they rallied from a double-digit deficit against Central Arkansas to beat the Bears in overtime, 111-107. HBU is currently ninth in the conference standings.
 
Sharp Gym has been a tough place for the Cardinals to play throughout program history. While the Cardinals hold a 13-8 (.619) all-time advantage in the series, only one of those victories have come in Houston. The two teams split the regular-season series last year with each school winning on its home court. The two schools met in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament with the Cardinals gaining the upper hand.
 
Saturday's game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. from Sharp Gym in Houston. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.