BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has won five consecutive games and is locked in a tie for second place in the Southland Conference standings with Stephen F. Austin. The two longtime rivals will meet each other Saturday at Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. With potential freezing temperatures expected to hit Beaumont later in the evening, the game will tip off at 1:00 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.
PREVIOUSLY
The Cardinals (11-6, 8-2 SLC) swept the season series against East Texas A&M with a 66-56 victory Thursday at home.
Jacei Denley scored a season-high 19 points while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
Shaila Forman was also in double figures with 10 points.
I'LL HAVE A DOUBLE-DOUBLE CHISOM
Chisom Oguego achieved her first career double-double Thursday with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Lagos, Nigeria native converted 4-of-7 from the field while securing nine rebounds in the second half, including seven in the fourth quarter. Her previous season-highs were nine rebounds at Kansas and eight points vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
DRIVING ALEXIS
Alexis Parker recorded season highs of seven points and four rebounds in the win over ETAMU Thursday. The San Antonio native started a 10-2 run in the second quarter with five consecutive. LU finished scoring 21 points to lead by 10 at halftime, which was the difference in the victory.
HOME IS WHERE THE CARDS COME OUT AND PLAY
Although the Cardinals have one less home win than SFA, they are still the conference's only undefeated home team at 8-0. Big Red averages 69.1 points per game and has won its home meetings by an average of 16 points. Winners of 10 consecutive games at Neches Arena, the Cardinals have also won 32 of their last 34 games.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE UPDATE
At the midway point, the top five teams are currently separated by 2.0 games. McNeese (15-4, 9-1 SLC) still hangs on to first place thanks to a current eight-game win streak. LU and the Ladyjacks trail by a game while both UIW and UT Rio Grande Valley are tied for fourth at 7-3.
ALL TIME VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
SFA is 64-18 all-time against the Cardinals, which includes winning eight of the last nine games. While LU pulled off a hard-fought 77-74 win at Neches Arena last season, the Ladyjacks took the next two meetings, including a 61-53 victory in the SLC tournament semifinals.
ABOUT THE LADYJACKS
The Ladyjacks (14-5, 8-2 SLC) overcame a 10-point hole in the first quarter to defeat Northwestern State, 70-63, Thursday. Kaylinn Kemp led the Ladyjacks with 21 points and was one assist shy of a double-double. SFA is currently on a seven-game winning streak, which is the second-longest active streak in the conference and trails McNeese (eight).
A DOUBLE-BLADED AXE THAT CAN SCORE
The Ladyjacks possess an offense that not only ranks in the top 40 nationally (77.0 ppg), but also averages 80.3 ppg during the conference season. SFA has not had a game where it scored fewer than 60 points. The 70 points scored against the Demons Thursday was the lowest SFA recorded during conference play. Three Ladyjacks in Harmanie Dominguez (4th; 14.1 ppg), Myka Perry (5th; 13.5 ppg) and Key Roseby (7th; 13.2 ppg) are ranked in the SLC's top 10 in scoring.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will have a quick road trip to Hammond, La. to take on Southeastern Louisiana Thursday at the University Center. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
