BEAUMONT, Texas – Winners of two straight and fresh off their impressive victory over Sam Houston State Wednesday, the Lamar University men's basketball team returns to action Saturday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The contest against the Islanders presents LU with an opportunity to record their first three-game win streak of the season.
 
If the Cardinals can get that victory, it would be fitting for a squad coming off its first win in Huntsville, Texas since the 2011-12 season.
 
The Cardinals (14-13/8-8 SLC) enter the weekend having won consecutive games and four of the previous six contests, but Saturday's game takes on extra importance as teams begin jockeying for position in next month's Southland Conference Championships. The Cardinals currently sit in a two way tie for sixth (with Central Arkansas). Due to LU's victory in Huntsville combined with McNeese and Central Arkansas losses, the Cardinals were able to jump two places in the standings in one night.
 
The Cardinals have a half-game lead over the Cowboys, and a 1.5 games lead over A&M-Corpus Christi and UIW. Big Red is just a game back of Northwestern State and now just two games back of Sam Houston State with four to play. The remaining schedule sets up favorably for the Cardinals who will play three of their remaining four games at home.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi is currently tied with the league's other Cardinals, fighting for the Southland's eighth and final playoff spot. The Islanders are just a half game out of the final playoff spot and have the advantage of still have five games left to play. Corpus Christi will also have the added advantage of having a full week to prepare for the Red and White as they didn't play Wednesday.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 21-10 (.677), but the Cardinals are coming off a six-point setback to the Islanders earlier this season in Beaumont. Despite the earlier season loss, the Cardinals have won four of the previous five games. The Cardinals are 11-6 (.647) all-time against A&M-Corpus Christi in Beaumont.
 
Saturday's game is set to tip off at 4:30 p.m. and will be the second game of a men's and women's doubleheader. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and will be streamed on ESPN+.