BEAUMONT, Texas – While Lamar University is in the infancy stages of the 2024-25 Southland Conference schedule, the Cardinals make their return to league play in a four-way tie for first place in the conference standings (7-6/2-0 SLC). Big Red opens the New Year in the midst of a five-game homestand having won six of its last seven with the lone loss during that stretch coming at Texas Tech (the fifth and final game of a five-game road swing).
 
Lamar's next conference test will be Saturday when they face Houston Christian. Currently just a game back of LU in loss column, the Huskies are 4-9 overall and tied for fifth in the conference standings (1-1). HCU makes it way to Beaumont having dropped three of its past four games with the lone win coming at UL Monroe. That four-game stretch was a tough run for the Huskies as it also included dates at Texas A&M and North Texas.
 
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1966-67 season and has favored the Red and White. Lamar is 19-12 (.613) overall in the series with a near perfect 15-3 (.833) record in Beaumont.
 
Saturday's game will be the second game of a scheduled doubleheader with the LU women's team. Lamar is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Huskies
The series between Lamar and Houston Christian dates back to the 1966-67 season with the Cardinals owning a 19-12 (.613) overall record, which includes a near perfect 15-3 (.833) record in Beaumont. The Cardinals have won three of the last five meetings but a 10-point decision in Beaumont last year put an end to a small two-game skid.
 
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 373-189 (.664) all-time in Neches Arena. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season and is 3-1 (.667) at home this year.
 
LU in January
The Cardinals are 294-283 (.510) 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 204-107 (.656) all-time at home in the year's first month.
 
Recapping December
The Cardinals posted a 5-1 (.833) record in the month of December which is the 44th time in program history LU has finished the year's final month with a winning record, but it is the first time since 2019-20.
 
The Windex Award Goes To ...
Junior Cody Pennebaker just missed a double-double in Monday's victory over Texas A&M-San Antonio but he did pull down a career-high 14 rebounds to lead all players. Pennebaker finished the night with nine points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and a steal. Pennebaker was joined in double-figures (on the glass) by classmate Andrew Holifield (10). It marks the second time this season that two Cardinals have recorded double-figure rebounds. 
 
Career Night
Junior forward Terrance Dixon, Jr. recorded his best night in a Cardinal uniform. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the win over A&M-San Antonio - both are LU career highs.
 
Downeaster Alexis
Junior guard Alexis Marmolejos scored a game-high 17 points in Monday's win over the Cougars. It marks the eighth time this season that Marmolejos has led the team in scoring for the Santiago, D.R., native. He is currently tops on the team and third in the Southland averaging 15.9 points per game. Marmolejos has struck for double figures in 12 of the team's 13 games including three 20-point games.