BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University is set to conclude 2024 with the first of a five-game homestand at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. On Saturday, the Cardinals will close out the non-conference season against Northern Colorado. The game will tip off at 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
Previously
LU went wire-to-wire with Texas Tech in Lubbock before falling 73-67. NJ Weems posted season highs in both points (21) and rebounds (six) while setting a new career high with five steals. Jacei Denley and Sabria Dean also reached double figures scoring with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
 
Minnesota 20.2
Weem's 21 points marked the second time in her career that she scored 20+ points in a game. Against the Red Raiders, she converted 7-of-12 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers while also making five free throws. Her career-high was 27, which she achieved against UIW last year.
 
Jacei's Christmas Wishlist - LU's Scoring Leader
Denley has been the Cardinals' top scorer this month, averaging 13 points per game. In the four games played, she scored 11 against St. Thomas (TX), eight against UL Monroe, 20 against UT Rio Grande Valley, and 13 against Tech. Denley is third on the team averaging 9.8 ppg.
 
Kicking Non-Conference Guests Out Of The House
The Cardinals have won their last nine home non-conference games dating back to Dec. 6th, 2022, against Loyola (La.). Throughout this streak, the Cardinals have averaged 78.3 ppg while allowing 50.8 ppg. A win over UNC will also mean a fourth straight winning non-conference record for the Cardinals since the 2021-22 campaign.
 
All-Time vs. Northern Colorado
The Cardinals have split two meetings with UNC all-time. LU won 72-71 in overtime during the 2005-06 season while the Bears responded with a 71-43 victory a year later.
 
About the Bears
Out of the Big Sky Conference, the Bears enter Beaumont at 7-3 after dropping their last game 64-53 to Denver. They average 76.3 ppg while opponents have scored 57.2 ppg against the defense. UNC has relied on a pair of Texas natives in Aniah Hall (12.1 ppg) and Tatum West (11.5 ppg) to be the top scorers while the latter averages a team-best 8.0 rebounds per game.

Up Next
With the new year approaching, the Cardinals will resume conference play at home on Jan. 2nd as they will host UIW. The game will tip off at 7 p.m.
 

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