BEAUMONT, Texas – In the midst of key late-season, four-game road swing, Lamar University picked up a victory in the first game of the road trip Saturday at Texas A&M and now set its sights on a trip to Northwestern State Monday evening. The Cardinals enter the new week tied for second in the Southland standings (with Southeastern Louisiana) just 3.0 games back of leader McNeese and 2.0 games up on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Nicholls.
 
With a win Monday, the Cardinals can secure a spot in upcoming SLC Championships next month in Lake Charles, La. Winners in seven of their last eight games, the Cardinals can also secure their second consecutive winning season with a victory Monday.  For all of that to happen Monday Big Red will have to go through a very talented Northwestern State squad.
 
The Demons have dropped three of their last five games and are coming off a two-point setback to Stephen F. Austin Saturday in Natchitoches. The two teams met earlier this season with Lamar managing a 10-point victory, 69-59.
 
The all-time series between Lamar and NSU dates back to the 1951-52 season with the Cardinals holding a slim three-win advantage but NSU has had the upper hand in Natchitoches taking 21 of the 29 meetings on their home floor.
 
Monday's game is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip off from Prather Coliseum. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Demons
The series history between Lamar University and Northwestern State dates back to the 1951-52 season with the Cardinals holding a 32-29 (.525) series advantage, but only eight of those wins have come in Natchitoches, La. NSU holds a 21-8 (.276) advantage over the Cardinals in Natchitoches. The Cardinals have won three straight in the series, including a 10-point victory in Beaumont earlier this season, and eight of the previous 11. 
 
LU in February
The Cardinals are 294-293 (.501) all-time in the month of February. Big Red has produced above .500 records in the month 28 times in program history, which includes four perfect months (1960-61, 1963-64, 1983-84 and 2007-08). The Cardinals posted a school record 10 wins in the month twice (1960-61 and 1983-84). The February record jumps to 190-111 (.631) all-time in home games.
 
Tournament Seeding
While there is still a lot of basketball yet to be played the Cardinals are currently in a two-way tie for second in the conference standings. If the SLC tournament was held today the Cardinals would the No. 3 seed, which would be the highest tournament seed for Lamar since 2011-12. 
 
Back-to-Back Winning Seasons
Following Lamar's win at East Texas A&M, LU needs just two more wins to secure its second-straight winning season. The Cardinals are looking for back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2018-19 and 2019-20.
 
Pursuing a Benchmark
A benchmark for success in basketball is a 20-win season. The Cardinals finished one game shy of that mark last year but still have a shot at 20 wins this season. Lamar needs just four more wins this year to get to 20. It would be LU's first 20-win season since 2018-19 and 14th in program history.
 
Magic Number
Although it is still too early to be focusing on the Southland tournament, due to Lamar's hot start in league play, the Cardinals' magic number to clinch a spot in the Southland Conference Championships stands at one. Heading into Monday's round of games, either a Lamar University win or a Stephen F. Austin loss will secure Lamar's playoff spot.
 
Improving on the Past
Last season, the Cardinals posted a seven-game improvement in conference play winning 12 games – their first 12-win conference season since 2018-19. Big Red needs just two more conference wins this year to surpass that mark. If Lamar can pick up two more Southland wins this season it would be their first 13-win conference season since 2007-08.
 
And The Windex Award Goes To ...
Lamar University was absolutely dominant on the glass in its win over East Texas A&M. The Cardinals pulled down 47 rebounds and outrebounded the Lions by 23. The Cardinals also finished the game with just four fewer offensive rebounds (20) than ETAMU had combined. It's the most rebounds and largest rebound margin since the Cardinals grabbed 60 boards and outrebounded Jarvis Christian by 31 last year's season opener.
 
The Great Wall of Beaumont
Lamar leads the Southland Conference in blocks (5.0 pg). The Cardinals boast two of the league's top shot blockers in junior Andrew Holifield (1.7 pg/T2nd) and senior Adam Hamilton (1.6/3rd). The Cardinals are currently tied for 21st nationally in blocks with Michigan State, Alabama and Minnesota.