BEAUMONT, Texas – After receiving an unplanned week away from the court – due to COVID – the Lamar University men's basketball team makes a return to action Saturday when it travels to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin.
 
The timing of the "off week" couldn't have come at a worse time with Big Red preparing to step on the court to face one of two remaining undefeated teams in the Southland Conference. The Lumberjacks enter the weekend showdown with an 8-2 (.800) overall record and a 4-0 mark in Southland Conference play. SFA is one of two remaining undefeated teams in conference (Sam Houston). The Lumberjacks have also faced some adversity due to COVID this season with seven games having already been canceled. The 'Jacks were forced to cancel their final four games of December, but have been one of the league's hottest teams since returning to the court. SFA has rattled off five consecutive wins entering Saturday's game.
 
The Cardinals head into the contest looking to make the climb back up the Southland ladder, currently in ninth place, just a half game back of Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas.
 
Big Red will look to slow down Stephen F. Austin's offense which is averaging just a tick under 80 points per game (79.9 ppg). SFA has three players averaging in double figures led by Cameron Johnson's 18.3 points per game. Johnson is currently ranked third in the Southland in scoring.
 
The Cardinals head into the weekend led by five players averaging in double figures. Junior Davion Buster leads the team averaging 14.0 points per game, while senior Avery Sullivan is scoring 11.5 per contest, while currently ranked second in the conference pulling down 7.9 rebounds per game. Beaumont freshman Kasen Harrison is the Southland's second leading freshman scorer averaging 10.6 points per game.
 
The Cardinals trail the all-time series against Stephen F. Austin, 29-37 (.439), a mark which includes a 10-21 (.323) record in Nacogdoches. The Lumberjacks swept the season series last year, but LU had won the four previous meetings prior to the 2019-20 season.
 
Saturday's game will tip off at 4:30 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.