BEAUMONT, Texas – When Lamar University steps on the court at the newly renamed Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center it will be their first home game in a month. The Cardinals (4-5) have not played in front their own fans since a Nov. 14^th victory over UTSA.
 
Big Red's most recent travels took them from the West Coast to the East Coast before returning to the Lone Star State for two games at former Southland Conference schools – UTSA (rematch) and Sam Houston. Thursday's game will serve as the third consecutive against a former Southland Conference school.
 
The Cardinals enter the Thursday showdown with a 4-5 (.444) record, a record that includes several very close games. LU dropped a one-point decision at Pacific in the closing seconds, saw UTSA rally late for three-point decision in San Antonio, and the Cardinals had opportunities late at Longwood before the Lancers were able to hit free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
 
Big Red carries the league's second-rated offense into the game averaging just over 82 points per game. The Cardinals are one of just two SLC teams averaging at least 80 per contest this season. Lamar's offense doesn't run through just one player as the Cards have four players averaging in double figures – and two others averaging more than nine points per game.
 
The Cardinals are shooting the ball at a 43.7 percent clip from the field and an even more impressive 39.2 percent from long range. Lamar leads the Southland in three-point field goal percentage, second in the league in three-point field goals per game and third in field goal percentage.
 
The Warhawks come to Beaumont sporting a 4-4 (.500) overall record and have won two of their last three games, with the lone setback being a one-point loss at Sam Houston (Lamar's last opponent). Tyreke Locure and Nik Metskhvarishvili lead the Warhawks averaging 10.0 points per game.
 
As a team ULM is averaging nearly 72 points per game and is shooting 43.8 percent from the field. The Warhawks have struggled at times from three-point range (.299), but they do a great job defensively. UL Monroe is holding opponents to 70.1 points per game and outrebounding opponents by six boards per contest.
 
Thursday's contest will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Neches Arena. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.