BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University (9-9/3-4 Southland) will be in Corpus Christi, Texas Saturday looking to bounce back from a disappointing overtime loss to Sam Houston State Wednesday. The goal for Saturday is to get back to .500 in Southland Conference play.
 
The Cardinals enter the week eighth in the Southland standings with a 3-4 (.429) record just a half game back of rival McNeese in the standings and a half game up on Southeastern Louisiana. The Cardinals fell two spots in the league chase Wednesday after their disappointing home loss to Sam Houston State. In one of the most heartbreaking losses in program history, the Cardinals had a six-point lead with 14 seconds remaining but went 1-of-4 from the free throw line, while the Bearkats got an and-one followed by a three-pointer at the other end of the court to force overtime. Sam Houston got an early advantage in the extra five minutes and held on for a five-point victory.
 
For the Cardinals, who started the year 6-0 at home, the loss marked the third consecutive in the Montagne Center. Big Red enters Saturday's contest having dropped three of its past four and five of its past eight.
 
The Cardinals will now look to bounce back from that loss to SHSU against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Islanders are also in the midst of a rollercoaster season. A&M-Corpus Christi is 6-12 (.333) on the season and tied for 10^th in the conference standings with a 2-5 (.286) record. Despite the record, the Islanders have pulled off the biggest upset in league play traveling to Nacogdoches and beating previously undefeated Stephen F. Austin by one, 73-72, earlier this season.
 
The Islanders have dropped three of their past four games and seven of their past nine but enter the weekend showdown just a half game back of Southeastern Louisiana in the standings. A&M-Corpus Christi is also a game up on UIW and Houston Baptist in the standings.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 21-9 (.700). The Cardinals have won the previous four meetings in the series which put a stop to a prior run that saw A&M-Corpus Christi win nine of the previous 13. The Cardinals have also found success on the road in the series posting a 10-3 (.769) mark. LU recorded a 63-58 decision last year in Corpus Christi.
 
Saturday's game is slated to tip off at 3:30 p.m. from the American Bank Center. It can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.