After an impressive second half Saturday evening, Lamar University (11-9/5-2 Southland) turned a tied game at halftime into a double-digit win over conference preseason favorite, Southeastern Louisiana. In the short term, Saturday's win allowed the Cardinals to remain in a three-way tie for second place (Nicholls and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) in the league standings just two games back of McNeese. Now winners in six of their last eight game, the Cardinals will turn their sights to New Orleans. The Privateers (7-13/2-5 SLC) enter the new week in a two-way tie for seventh in the league standings. It has been a tough stretch for New Orleans who has dropped four straight after opening the year 2-1 in league play. The Privateers make the short trip to Beaumont from Lake Charles, La., Saturday where they dropped a 102-65 decision to McNeese. Monday's game is set for a 7 p.m. tipoff from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
LU vs. the Privateers
The series between Lamar and New Orleans has heavily favored the Privateers. UNO is 32-8 all-time in a series that began during the 1976-77 season. While the Cardinals have five of their eight victories in Beaumont, Big Red holds just a 5-15 (.250) all-time record against UNO in Beaumont. The Privateers have won consecutive games and eight of the last nine meetings in the series.
Defending the Nest
Lamar 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 367-186 (.664) all-time in the Montagne Center. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season, and is 8-1 (.889) at home this season.
LU in January
The Cardinals are 293-283 (.509) 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 203-107 (.655) all-time at home in the year's first month.
No. 11
With Saturday's victory over Southeastern Louisiana, the Cardinals have already won two more game this season than they did all of last year. The Cardinals still have 11 regular-season games to add to that overall total.
Half for Hamilton
Junior Adam Hamilton scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Saturday's victory. That stat line is made even more impressive when you consider it all came in just 15 minutes of action, and all 15 minutes were played in the second half.
Big Red Depth
One key reason for the Lamar's strong performance against Southeastern Louisiana was it's depth. Big Red had three players score in double figures, but two of those came off the bench – Adam Hamilton (13 pts.) and Ja'Sean Jackson (12 pts.). The LU reservers outscored their counterparts, 34-5 on the night.
Pryor To His Arrival
Senior Chris Pryor continued his hot streak in Saturday's win over Southeastern Louisiana. He led the team with 17 points on 5-of-8 (.625) shooting from long range. Over the course of the past five games he is averaging 17.4 points per game (while also leading the team in assists on the season).
High Octane Offense
LU continues to lead the Southland in scoring. Big Red is averaging a league-best 80.6 points per game and is the only Southland school to average at least 80 points per contest – a stat made even more impressive by the fact that Lamar has only one player averaging at least 12.0 per game. The Cardinals are currently tied for 46th nationally in scoring offense. The Cardinals are also tied for 30th nationally in bench scoring (28.15 pg), tied for 12th nationally in fastbreak points (15.90 pg) and 27th nationally in assists (16.6 apg).
Arc Angels
The Cardinals continue to be one of the Southland's top three-point shooting teams. Big Red is currently second in the SLC in three-point field-goal percentage (.368) and second in the Southland averaging 8.3 three-pointers per game.
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