BEAUMONT, Texas – A date that fans of both Lamar University and McNeese circle on their calendar as soon as schedules are released has finally arrived. McNeese and LU will step on the court Saturday in Beaumont to renew the Battle of the Border rivalry. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.  
 
The rivalry game arrives in Beaumont with the Cardinals (11-10/6-6 SLC) having won four their past six contests sitting in a three-way tie for fifth place just a game out of third. On the flip side of the coin, the Cowboys are 17-4 (.810) overall and 10-2 (.833) in league play just a game back of league-leading Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks lone loss came at McNeese earlier this month.
 
After proving itself as one of the league's top defenses, Lamar's offense seems to be peaking at just the right time. The Cardinal have scored at least 82 points in the previous two wins and have hit the 80-point mark in three of the past four games (with the one game they didn't being a 76-point outing).
 
One reason for the recent offensive success has been junior Rob Lee Jr. The Flint, Mich., native has scored at least 20 points in three of the team's past five games (including a career-high 31 in a win at Nicholls) and his coming off a 28-point outing Monday against East Texas. He is averaging 21 points per game over the team's past five game.
 
While Lamar has a three-game lead all-time in the series (62-59/.512), the Cowboys have been closing ground recently. McNeese has won seven straight in the series and nine of the last 10, including a 12-point victory in Lake Charles earlier this season.
 
Saturday's game is slated for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Arena. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and ESPN+.
 
LU vs. Cowboys
Lamar leads the all-time series against McNeese, 62-59 (.512), a mark that includes a 40-19 (.678) record in Beaumont. The Cowboys have been closing ground recently. The two-time defending conference champions have won seven straight and nine of the last 10 including a 12-point setback in Lake Charles earlier this season. Lamar enters the game looking for its first victory since the 2022-23 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 386-196 (.663) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. The Cardinals are 6-4 (.600) at home in 2025-26.
 
Heading Due East
Sophomore Braden East recorded his eighth double-double of the season, and third in as many games, Tuesday against East Texas A&M, and recorded it despite spending most of the first half on the bench with early foul trouble. The Houston, Texas native scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds against the Lions. He currently leads the Southland averaging 8.7 rebounds per game, is second in the conference in offensive rebounds and has recorded 10 double-figure rebound performances this season.
 
Enter the Cardinal
Junior Rob Lee Jr. has been on a tear recently for the Cardinals. He led Big Red with 28 points in the victory over East Texas A&M. He is averaging 21.0 points per game over the teams last five games - a stretch that includes three 20-point outings and two games of at least 28. He was recently named SLC Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 31 points against Houston Christian and followed that up with a 20-point outing in a win at then conference co-leading Nicholls. He is currently sixth in the Southland averaging 16.0 ppg on the season.
 
Beaumont Block Party
Senior Andrew Holifield continues to be one of the most dominating defensive players in the Southland Conference. He blocked three shots in the victory over East Texas A&M and currently ranks second in the league averaging 2.0 blocks per game. He has blocked at least three shots in a game eight times this season. The Beaumont native is currently fifth all-time in school history and needs only three more swats to reach 100 for his career.
 
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.