After trailing by as many as 12 points late in the second half at Nicholls, Lamar University put together one of its best performances of the season to rally and force overtime at Stopher Gym. In the extra stanza, it was Lamar who built a four-point advantage late and held off the Colonels - who were also undefeated in league play. With Lamar's OT win, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's three-point loss at New Orleans and McNeese taking care of business against Southeastern Louisiana, that sets up a showdown of Southland Conference rivals and the last two remaining undefeated teams in the league. The Cardinals enter the contest 9-7 (.563) overall and 3-0 in league play after having won their last four games. McNeese is 14-2 (.875) on the season and 3-0 league play, and enter the week having won nine straight and ranked No. 7 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll. The Cowboys had an impressive non-conference season with wins against Virginia Commonwealth, Texas State, UAB, Southern Mississippi, UL Lafayette and Michigan. Monday's contest is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from the Legacy Center in Lake Charles, La. It will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.

LU vs. the Cowboys

The Battle of the Border on the basketball court dates back to the 1951-52 season, and it is a rivalry that has favored Lamar. The Cardinals are 10-games over .500 in the series (62-52/.544), but they have struggled in Lake Charles. The Cardinals are 19-34 (.358) all-time against the Cowboys in Lake Charles. Lamar has won four of the previous six meetings in the series including a seven-point victory in Lake Charles last season.

Defending the Nest

Lamar University has made the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center one of the toughest venues for opponents to play over the course of its 30-plus year history. The Cards are 365-186 (.662) all-time in the Montagne Center. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season, and is 6-1 (.833) at home this season. 

LU in January

The Cardinals are 292-281 (.510) all-time in the month of January. LU has produced above .500 records in the month 31 times in program history which includes three perfect records (1965-66, 1968-69 and 1987-88). That win percentage jumps when looking at home games. The Cards are 201-107 (.653) all-time at home in the year's first month.  

3-Oh

It has been more than two decades since Lamar University has started 3-0 in Southland Conference play. Big Red enters Monday's game at McNeese 3-0 in league play for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. That year, the Cardinals opened the year 4-0 beforce dropping a conference tilt.

Overtime Games

Lamar's overtime victory at Nicholls marked their second overtime game this season (Delaware State). The Cardinals are 2-0 in OT contests this season, and 52-51 (.505) all-time. 

Historic Win

Saturday's win at Nicholls was just Lamar's 10th all-time win in Thibodaux, in a series that dates back to the 1959-60 season. It was also Lamar's first road win in the series since January of 2019.

Career High

Lamar's Terry Anderson scored a career-high 25 points in the Cardinals win at Nicholls. It was Anderson's second 20-point game of the season and the fourth time in 2023-24 that a Cardinal has struck for at least 20.

Strength vs. Strength 

Monday's rivalry game presents an interesting battle within the battle. The Cardinals bring the league's top scoring offense (82.2 ppg) into the game, while McNeese owns the leagues top scoring defense (60 ppg). The Cardinals ranks 30th nationally in scoring, while the Cowboys rank sixth nationally on the defensive end. The contest will also be a showdown of the top two three-point shooting teams as McNeese leads the league shooting .394 from long range and Lamar is second at .364.

Where They Rank

The Cardinals currently rank among the national leaders in a couple different stats. The Cardinals are 24th nationally in bench scoring (29.62 ppg) and 11th the country in fastbreak points (16.62 ppg).

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