BEAUMONT, Texas – Saturday was an emotional win for the Lamar University men's basketball team as the team celebrated head coach Tic Price's 100^th victory. The Cardinals could potentially have another celebration on tap Wednesday with a win and a little help. The Cardinals' (15-13/9-8 Southland) magic number to qualify for the 2020 Southland Conference Championship tournament is down to two. For the Cardinals to clinch a spot in the tournament Wednesday they will need to defeat UIW combined with a New Orleans victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
The Cardinals appear to be peaking at just the right time. Winners of three straight, and five of the past seven games, the Cardinals moved into a two-way tie for sixth in the Southland standings with Central Arkansas. Big Red is just a half game back of Northwestern State and two back of Sam Houston State with three to play. LU also owns a 1.5 games lead over eighth place McNeese, with two of LU's final three remaining games at home.
 
The Cardinals put themselves on the brink of locking up a playoff spot after their 79-62 decision over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday in Beaumont. The Cardinals jumped out to a first half double-digit lead and never looked back.
 
Before the Cardinals can even begin to think about the conference's postseason tournament, LU will have to get past a UIW squad that is playing its best basketball of the season. A mere afterthought three weeks ago, San Antonio's version of the Cardinals have battled their way into playoff consideration. UIW (9-18/6-10 SLC) has won four of the previous six contests and currently finds itself in a two-way tie for the ninth in the standings with A&M-Corpus Christi, just a game back of McNeese.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over UIW, 7-4 (.636), a record that includes a 12-point victory in San Antonio earlier this season. LU has won six straight in the series dating back to the 2015-16 season. Big Red got out to a tough start in the series dropping four of the first five meetings. The Cardinals are 4-1 (.800) all-time against the Southland's other Cardinals in Beaumont.
 
Wednesday'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+.