Lamar University (17-13/11-6 Southland) took care of business Monday at Texas A&M-Commerce securing the No. 4 seed in next week's conference tournament. After 30 regular-season contests, the Cardinals have one more opportunity to add to their overall win total. Winners of consecutive games and four of their last six, the Cardinals now return home to close out the year with a rematch against Houston Christian. The Huskies enter the week fighting for their playoff lives in a two-way tie for eighth place. HCU is looking to put a stop to a six-game skid in the regular-season finale but to do so they will need to record just their second road victory in conference play this season. Wednesday's contest against HCU will tip off at 7 p.m. from Neches Arena, and be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
LU vs. the Huskies
The series between Lamar and HCU dates back to the 1966-67 season. The two teams have met 30 times with the Cardinals holding an 18-12 (.600) series advantage. Big Red has been particularly dominant in Beaumont posting a 14-3 (.824) record. The two teams have split the past four games, but HCU recorded a one-point last second decision earlier this year in Houston.
Senior Day
Wednesday will be the final home game for guard Chris Pryor. A two-year letterwinner, Pryor transferred to Lamar prior to the 2022-23 season. During his two years on campus he as played in and started 61 games while averaging 11.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. He has also been ranked among the Southland Conference leaders each year averaging 3.6 assists per game and 1.2 steals per contest.
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 369-188 (.662) all-time in Neches Arena. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season, and is 10-3 (.769) at home this season.
LU in March
The Cardinals are 64-73 (.467) all-time in the month of March. Lamar's victory at Texas A&M-Commerce marks the first time Big Red has won multiple regular-season games in March since 2020-21 campaign.
The Fight for Seeding
Lamar's victory at Texas A&M-Commerce secured the league's fourth overall seed in the SLC tournament. Lamar still has an outside shot at the No. 3 seed. For that to happen Lamar would need to beat Houston Christian Wednesday and have Nicholls lose at Southeastern Louisiana. Regardless of what happens Wednesday, the Cardinals have secured a first-round bye in the tournament.
Securing the 4
Lamar will enter the Southland Conference Championships no worse than the fourth overall seed. It is the highest seed for LU since the 2011-12 season when Big Red entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed. That team would eventually go on to represent the Southland in the NCAA Championships.
Double-Double
Junior Terry Anderson recorded another double-double Monday in Commerce. He finished the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds. It's the seventh double-double for Anderson this year and the 13th on the season for Lamar.
Trending in the Right Direction
For a second consecutive season, Lamar has posted at least a seven-game improvement from its previous season. Big Red recorded nine wins last year improving by seven over the 2021-22 season, and have already posted an eight-win improvement this year with one more regular-season game remaining.
Winning Season
In addition to securing the No. 4 overall seed, Lamar also locked up a winning season, no matter what happens the rest of the year. It is the Cardinals first winning season since the 2019-20 campaign.
The Benchmark
The benchmark for a successful season in college basketball is 20 wins. The Cardinals still have a shot at reaching that plateau this season. If the Cardinals can close out the regular season with one more win and then advance to the championship game of the conference tournament they would get to the 20-win mark.
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