BEAUMONT, Texas – After a successful start to the current four-game Southland Conference road swing – a 76-61 victory at Northwestern State – Lamar University will now look to start a new win streak when it faces East Texas A&M Wednesday in Commerce.
 
The Cardinals (6-6/1-2 SLC) needed something positive after going into the Christmas break with a four-game skid, and maybe the break was exactly what the doctor ordered. After falling behind early at Northwestern State, the Cardinals went on a run to turn a deficit into an advantage – thanks to a career-high 13 first-half points from freshman Eian Lowe – and LU never looked back. The Cardinals eventually pushed the lead to 24 early in the second and never allowed the Demons to get back in the game.
 
The Cardinals' win jumped Lamar from the bottom of the Southland standings up seven spots into a tie for fifth. Lamar enters the midweek contest just a game back of New Orleans.
 
East Texas will step on the court with a 6-7 (.462) overall record and tied with Lamar in the league standings. The Lions will be looking to reverse recent trend. After a strong start to the season, the Lions have now dropped consecutive games and three of the past four.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over East Texas A&M, 16-14 (.533), a mark which includes a 7-7 (.500) record in Commerce. The Lions won 10 of the first 12 meetings (of a series that dates back to the 1951-52 season) but the Cardinals have flipped the series recently. Lamar has won four straight and 12 of the past 14.
 
Wednesday's game will tip off at 11 a.m. from the Commerce Field House. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Lions
The series between the two programs began during the 1951-52 season. The Cardinals hold a slim two-game advantage in the series, 16-14 (.533). The Lions won nine of the first 11 meetings but Lamar has begun to flip the series. Lamar has won four straight and 12 of the last 14. The Cardinals are 7-7 (.500) all-time in Commerce.
 
Defending the Nest
Lamar University has made Neches Arena one of the toughest venues for opponents to play over the course of its 40-plus year history. The Cardinals are 383-195 (.663) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. Lamar is 3-3 (.500) at home this year.
 
A Natchitoches First
Prior to Monday's contest, Lamar only had nine all-time wins against the Demons in Natchitoches. Win No. 10 secured a three-game win streak for Lamar in Natchitoches, which is the first time in series history that Big Red has won three consecutive road games against the Demons.
 
Bounce Back Half
Junior Rob Lee, Jr. played less than eight minutes in the first half at Northwestern State due to early foul trouble, but he made up for lost time in the second. Lee finished the night with a game-high 19 points (16 of which came in the final 20 minutes) four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Eian "Not So" Lowe
Freshman Eian Lowe came off the bench Monday to provide Lamar University a spark on both ends of the floor. Due to his efforts, the Cardinals went on a first-half run turning a one possession game into a double-digit lead that Lamar would not relinquish. Lowe finished the night with a career-high 13 points. His final stat line was 13 points (1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), two rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
All Hail the King
Not to be outdone by teammates Eian Lowe and Rob Lee, Jr., King-Njhsanni Wilhite also had a career night in the win over Northwestern State. Wilhite netted a career-high 14 points on 5-of-6 (.833) shooting and a perfect 3-of-3 effort from long range.
 
Defense Doesn't Rest
Senior Andrew Holifield continues to be a threat on defense. He recorded another block at Northwestern State to remain second in the SLC averaging 2.2 per game. He also moved to ninth on the school's all-time blocks list. In similar fashion, senior Cody Pennebaker is second in the league averaging 1.9 steals per game.
 
Building on the Past
Head coach Alvin Brooks has a direct link to Lamar's successful history. One in a long line of LU standout point guards, Brooks guided the Cards to a 47-16 (.746) overall record, two conference titles, the NCAA Sweet 16, a 3-2 NCAA tournament record and graduated as the school's all-time leader in assists. He is a member of the Cardinals Hall of Honor.
 
The Cardinal Rule
Lamar has been one of the Southland's more dominant teams. LU has won 53 percent of 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 85 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 and three SLC All-Defensive team picks, two freshmen of the year and a defensive player of the year.