BEAUMONT, Texas – When Lamar University steps on the court Saturday the game will take on a bit more meaning. Saturday serves as rivalry weekend in the Southland and when the Cardinals (10-11/4-6 SLC) tip off it will be renewing the annual Battle of the Border with McNeese. The game which is slated for a 3:30 p.m. tip off at the H&HP Complex in the Lake Charles, La. will be the first of two meetings between the two teams this season.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over McNeese, 57-48 (.543), a trend that has swung back in favor of LU under head coach Tic Price. The Cardinals swept the season series last year and have taken five of the last six meetings, and six of the past eight. Prior to Price's arrival, the Cardinals had dropped 18 of the previous 26 meetings to McNeese. The Cardinals have had their struggles historically in Lake Charles. Big Red trails the all-time series, 17-35 (.327), a record that includes a nine-point LU victory last season in Lake Charles.
 
Saturday's game will consist of two teams currently heading in different directions. The Cardinals are currently ninth in the Southland standings with a 4-6 (.400) mark, jut a half game back of Texas A&M-Corpus Christ, and just a game back of Northwestern State and Central Arkansas. Big Red enters the week a game up on Southeastern Louisiana.
 
LU has dropped three of the past four games and six of its past nine. The Red and White are coming off an eight-point setback to Stephen F. Austin. It has been a heartbreaking stretch for the Cardinals who have seen them hold late second half leads.
 
The Cowboys enter the week as one of the Southland's top storylines. After not making the conference postseason tournament last season, the Cowboys are currently fourth in the SLC standings at 12-9 (.571)/7-3 (.700). Winners of seven straight, McNeese enters the weekend showdown as one of the league's hottest teams following an 0-3 start. McNeese sits just a half game back of Nicholls, and a half game up on Abilene Christian. McNeese is just two games back of the overall league lead.
 
The Cowboys are the Southland's second-leading scoring team averaging better than 81 points per game, led by Shamarkus Kennedy's 17.9 per game. Averaging a double-double, Kennedy is one of three Cowboys who currently average better than 15 points.
 
For the Cardinals, Saturday's focus will be getting back to the basics. Big Red turned the ball over 25 times against Stephen F. Austin which led to 20 points. LU will need to take care of the basketball Saturday against a Cowboys' squad that forces nearly 17 turnovers per contest.
 
Saturday's game is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. from the H&HP Complex – which will be the second time LU has played in the Cowboys' venue. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN3.