BEAUMONT, Texas – With the return of Stephen F. Austin to the Southland Conference prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, that meant the renewing of an old rivalry as Southland Conference co-leading Lamar University (9-6/4-0 SLC), will square off against Stephen F. Austin (7-8, 0-4 SLC) Saturday in Beaumont.
 
After a slow start to the year, the Cardinals have turned things around winners of three straight and eight of their last nine – a win streak that began back in December with four consecutive road wins. The Cardinals enter the weekend showdown as one of two undefeated teams remaining in league play. The Cardinals are 9-6 (.600) overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play a full game up in the standings over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Nicholls and Northwestern State.
 
It has been a rough return to the league for the team from Nacogdoches. The Lumberjacks have stumbled out of the gate posting a 7-8 (.467) overall record and are one of three league schools still looking for their first conference win (0-4).
 
Saturday's contest is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Lumberjacks
Originating back during the 1951-52 season, Saturday's meeting will be the 71st all-time between the two schools. The Lumberjacks have the upper hand in the series with a 40-30 (.571) all-time record, but the Cardinals are 19-16 (.543) in Beaumont. SFA has won five of the last six meetings but Saturday will serve as the first meeting since the 2021-22 season.
 
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 Cardinals are 375-189 (.665) all-time in Neches Arena. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season and is 5-1 (.833) at home this year.
 
LU in January
The Cardinals are 296-283 (.511) all-time in the month of January. LU has produced above .500 records in the month 32 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 206-107 (.658) all-time at home in the year's first month.
 
9-6/4-Oh SLC
Monday's victory over UIW moved Lamar to 9-6 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in Southland Conference play. It marked the first time Big Red has started a season 4-0 in league play since the 1999-2000 season. The Cardinals will take the court Saturday looking to step further into the record books. If the Red and White can get past Stephen F. Austin Saturday it would mark their first 5-0 start to conference play since the 1987-88 season.
 
Double-Double
Senior Ja'Sean Jackson recorded a unique double-double Monday in the Cardinals' victory over UIW. The San Antonio native scored 15 points and led all players with 10 assists. It is the first double-double of his career and the fourth time this season a Cardinal has recorded one. It's also the first time a Cardinal had recorded 10 assists in a game since Chris Pryor last season. Jackson is currently second in the Southland averaging 4.5 assists per game. He leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8).
  
Downeaster Alexis
Junior guard Alexis Marmolejos scored a game-high 21 points in Saturday's win over the Huskies. He has scored in double figures in 13 of the team's 15 games. He is currently tops on the team and third in the Southland averaging 15.7 points per game. Marmolejos has struck for at least 20 points in a game four times with a career-high 28 against Alabama State.
 
The Great Wall of Beaumont
Lamar enters the week boasting two of the league's top five shot blockers. Junior Andrew Holifield is currently tied for second averaging 1.9 blocks per game while senior Adam Hamilton is tied for fourth (1.5 per game).