BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University forced its fans to wait until the final buzzer to find out who would win Big Red's Southland Conference home opener and it happened in thrilling fashion as the Cardinals moved to 8-6 overall and 3-0 in conference play on senior Ja'Sean Jackson's buzzer beater.
 
Currently in a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings, Saturday's game wasn't always pretty. The Cardinals had to rally from a 10-point first-half deficit only to take a nine-point lead in the second half. Then LU saw that lead evaporate as HCU claimed a three-point lead late. But the Cardinals managed to flip the script on HCU and exact a bit of revenge on the Huskies for what they did to Lamar last season in Houston. In that contest, HCU's Marcus Greene hit a three-pointer with one second on the clock to defeat the Red and White.
 
Lamar's thrilling victory has placed them in a position to do something Lamar hasn't seen since the 1999-2000 season. That was the last time Lamar opened the year 4-0 in league play, and it is where LU will be if they can defeat UIW Monday at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
History is on Lamar's side in the series when it is played in Beaumont. Big Red has won seven of the 10 meetings but it won't be easy. UIW is off to a strong start. The league's other Cardinals are 9-5 (.643) on the season and tied for fourth in the conference standings with a 2-1 (.667) record just a game back of LU. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals have won four straight and five of their last six and are coming off an impressive win at Stephen F. Austin.
 
Monday's game is set for a 7 p.m. tip off from the Neches Arena and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Cardinals
The series between Lamar and UIW dates back to the 2007-08 season with Lamar holding a 12-7 (.632) overall record which includes a 7-3 (.700) mark in the Neches Arena. UIW controlled the series early winning four of the first six, but Lamar has dominated since winning 10 of the previous 13 meetings.
 
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 374-189 (.664) all-time in Neches Arena. LU recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season and is 4-1 (.667) at home this year.
 
LU in January
The Cardinals are 295-283 (.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 205-107 (.657) all-time at home in the year's first month.
 
Turning Over the Huskies
Turnovers played a huge role in Saturday's victory over Houston Christian. Lamar turned HCU over 17 times which they cashed in for 27 points. On the other side of the floor, the Huskies managed just seven LU turnovers and could score just six points from those mistakes. 
 
8-6/3-Oh SLC
Lamar University enters Monday's contest against UIW with a 3-0 start to Southland Conference play for the second consecutive season. Big Red will step on the court Monday looking for its first 4-0 league start since the 1999-2000 season when LU opened the year 4-0. That win streak came to an end in a one-point overtime loss at Texas State in game No. 5.  
 
20 Something
Senior Alexis Mamolejos led all players with 21 points on 8-of-13 (.615) shooting Saturday. It marks the fourth time this season that Marmolejos has scored at least 20 points and the ninth time he has led the team in scoring.
 
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 14 games. He is currently tops on the team and third in the Southland averaging 16.3 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 third in the league averaging 1.9 blocks per game while senior Adam Hamilton is tied for fourth (1.5 per game).
 
The Cardinal Rule
LU has been one of the Southland Conference's more dominant teams. LU has won 53 percent of the league games and has more NCAA tournament appearances than any of the current SLC schools (6), and their five NIT berths are also tops in the league. LU has had 84 players earn All-SLC honors, including 32 first-team selections. Six players have been named league newcomer of the year, five SLC tournament MVPs, four SLC Players of the Year, two freshmen of the year and a defensive player of the year.