BEAUMONT, Texas – The start to Lamar University's current four-game homestand did not get off to a good start. The Cardinals dropped a tough seven-point game to the league-leading Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Saturday. The contest was exactly what everyone expected – a tight, nerve-racked game that came right down to the wire, but unfortunately the Lumberjacks edged out Big Red. On top of the that, the second game of the homestand was pushed to Tuesday evening due to the threat of freezing conditions in the area.
 
The task at hand now is putting Saturday completely in the rearview and going 1-0 Tuesday against East Texas A&M. Lamar (10-10/5-6 SLC) remains in the middle of an increasingly jammed packed Southland standings. The Cardinals are in a three-way tie for fifth 2.0 games back of Nicholls and a half game up on Northwestern State.
 
The flipside of Tuesday's matchup has the Lions (8-12/3-7 SLC) on the outside looking in. ETAMU is 10^th overall a half game back of UIW and 1.5 back of Big Red. The Lions are dangerous with a record that is not indicative of the talent on the squad. They posted big wins in non-conference play and already have some key road wins in the Southland.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over East Texas A&M, 17-14 (.548) – a record that includes a seven-point victory in Commerce earlier this season. The Cardinals are 9-7 (.563) all-time against the Lions in Beaumont and have won the past five meetings overall.
 
Tuesday's game is set to tip off at 6 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and stream live on ESPN+.
 
LU vs. Lions
Lamar leads the all-time series over East Texas A&M, 17-14 (.548) including five consecutive wins. Big Red is 9-7 (.563) all-time against the Lions in Beaumont. If you go back to the 1959-60 season, the Cardinals have won 13 of the previous 15 meetings - a stretch which includes a seven-point victory in Commerce earlier this season. The series originated in the 1951-52 season.
 
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 385-196 (.663) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. The Cardinals are 5-4 (.556) at home in 2025-26.
 
Heading Due East
Sophomore Braden East recorded his seventh double-double of the season, and second in as many games, Saturday against Stephen F. Austin. The Houston, Texas native scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. This coming after scoring a career-high 26 and pulling down 11 rebounds at New Orleans.
 
Windex Award
Sophomore Braden East recorded his ninth double-digit rebound game of the season against league-leading Stephen F. Austin. He currently leads the Southland Conference averaging 8.6 rebounds per game. He is also third in the conference pulling down 2.9 offensive rebounds per game.
 
Enter the Cardinal
Junior Rob Lee Jr. is making a strong push for SLC Newcomer of the Year honors. The Flint, Mich., native has scored in double figures 15 times this season with six 20-point games and a career-high 31-point effort. He currently leads the team and is eighth in the SLC averaging 15.5 points per game. He just missed another 20-point outing with 19 points Saturday against Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks marked the ninth time this season that Lee has led the team in scoring.
 
Defense Doesn't Rest
LU has several players either leading the SLC or battling for the lead in several different defensive stats. Braden East leads the league averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, Andrew Holifield is tied for second averaging 2.0 blocks per game and Cody Pennebaker is tied for seventh averaging 1.5 steals per game.
 
Keeping a Lowe Profile
Freshman Eian Lowe scored 11 points against SFA. It marks the second time he has scored at least 10 in a game and the first time since scoring a career-high 13 in the win at Northwestern State.
 
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 SLC'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, three SLC All-Defensive selections, two freshmen and a defensive player of the year.