BEAUMONT, Texas – It has been a tough start to the 2020-21 season for the Lamar University Cardinals having played seven of their first eight away from the Montagne Center, to go along with numerous injuries to their starting lineup. The Cardinals (1-7) return home looking to right the ship in their non-conference finale. Oddly, Big Red's final prep game for Southland Conference action will be against a conference opponent, Southeastern Louisiana.
 
The Cardinals have dropped their last three games after a road victory at UL Monroe. On the other side of the coin, the Lions are 2-6 (.333) on the year, and just ended a three-game slide of their own last time out against Grambling State. SLU's other victory came at the beginning of the month against California Baptist.
 
The Cardinals have had a tough time getting their offense in rhythm this season averaging just 58.5 points per game. Big Red is led by junior guard Davion Buster. The Austin native – who just recently jumped on the school's all-time top-10 three-point field goal list – is currently fourth in the Southland averaging 16.3 points per game.
 
Buster is one of three Cardinals averaging in double figures. He is joined by sophomore Anderson Kopp (11.8 ppg) and junior Quinlan Bennett (10.6 ppg).
 
The Lions are averaging nearly 64 points per game, led by two players in double figures. SLU's Keon Clergeot paces the Lions' attack at 12.4 per game, and he is joined by Joe Kasperzyk with just over 10 per game.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over Southeastern Louisiana, 26-23 (.531). Big Red is 16-9 (.696) all-time over Southeastern in Beaumont. The Cardinals have won three of the past five contests, including a six-point overtime victory last season in Beaumont.
 
Tuesday's game will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.