BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University (3-3) returns to action for the first time in a week as the Cardinals travel to Dallas, Texas Sunday to take on SMU. When Big Red steps on the court at Moddy Coliseum it will be their first contest since playing three games in three days at the McNeese MTE Tournament.
 
The Cardinals head north looking to get back into the win column after dropping consecutive games in Lake Charles. All three contests were close with the Cardinals pulling out a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Lindenwood on the first day of the tournament, only to suffer close losses on the final two days.
 
The Mustangs (2-3) enter the contest in almost the same situation having dropped two of their last three, including an overtime loss to UL Lafayette Tuesday evening.
 
LU travels to Dallas looking for its first road win of the year against a team that historically has caused the Red and White fits. The series, which began during the 1999-2000 season, has gone in favor of the Mustangs with SMU winning all five contest – with four of those being played in Moody Coliseum. Sunday's contest will be the first meeting between the two schools since the 2018-19 season.
 
The Cardinals' revamped roster has paid dividends during the early part of the season with the Cardinals having four players averaging in double-figures, led by freshman Nate Calmese's 14.7 points per game. He is coming off a strong week that saw him average 20.5 points per game in the team's previous four outings.
 
Even more impressive than LU's ability to score has been it's never quit attacking mentality regardless of the score. Several times during the three games LU found itself down double-digits only to battle back to either take over the lead or get the game back within a single possession.
 
SMU's offense runs through Zhuric Phelps. The 6-3 sophomore guard is averaging nearly 20 points per game through the team's first five games and is currently third in the American Athletic Conference in scoring.
 
Sunday's contest is slated to tip off at 2 p.m. from Moody Coliseum and will be streamed live on ESPN+.