BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's basketball team travels to Huntsville, Texas Wednesday looking to make it consecutive wins when they step on the court against Sam Houston. It has been a tough start for the Cardinals (3-9/1-2 Southland) who have been forced to play ­­10 of their first 13 games away from the Golden Triangle, a stretch that includes three of their first four Southland games on the road.
 
The Cardinals put an end to a minor two-game slide with their six-point victory over Houston Baptist Saturday. The win – LU's first conference victory of the season – propelled the Cards into a tie for seventh place. Unfortunately, things don't get any easier for the Big Red as they prepare to face the Bearkats (9-5/3-0 SLC) who sit atop the Southland standings. Sam Houston is one of three Southland schools who is without a league loss, and the only school with a 3-0 league record.
 
The Bearkats enter the week riding a six-game win streak and haven't suffered a setback since Dec. 16^th at nationally ranked Texas. Sam Houston is currently second in the Southland averaging better than 81 points per game offensively. Sam Houston is led by two players in double figures, including Zach Nutall (18.9 ppg). Nutall is the Southland's third-leading scorer, while teammate Demarkus Lampley is seventh averaging 14.2 points per game.
 
The Cardinals are led by junior Davion Buster's 14.9 points per game. He enters the week ranked seventh in the league in scoring. Buster is one of five Cardinals averaging in double figures. Sophomore Anderson Kopp is second on the team averaging 11.6 per game, while senior Avery Sullivan is third on the squad averaging 11.5 points and leads the league pulling down 8.0 rebounds per game. Both freshman Kasen Harrison and junior Quinlan Bennett are scoring better than 10 points per game for the Red and White.
 
The Cardinals trail the all-time series to Sam Houston, 33-37 (.471). The mark includes a 10-22 (.313) all-time record against the Bearkats in Huntsville. The two teams split the season series last year with each team winning on the other's home court. The Cardinals won two of the past three meetings in the series.
 
Wednesday's game is slated to tip off at 6:30 p.m. from Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. It will be streamed live on ESPN+. For fans planning on attending the game, tickets are only available presale. Fans wishing to attend the game must purchase their tickets before noon Wednesday, and can do so by visiting GoBearkats.com or by calling the SHSU ticket office, (936) 294-1729. All fans are required to wear face coverings.