BEAUMONT, Texas – With the conference schedules in full swing, the nightly process of checking the league standings is underway. While the Southland Conference schedule did not get out to a great start for Lamar University, the Cardinals have returned from the Christmas break having turned things around and head to Hammond, La. with a shot at a 3-1 (.750) road trip.
 
For Lamar (7-7/2-3 SLC) to finish off a 3-1 road trip, it will have to go through a Southeastern Louisiana squad who is fighting its own struggles (similar to Lamar before the break). The Cardinals head to Hammond, La., currently sixth in the league standings just a game back of UIW and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Big Red enters Monday's contest a game up on Southeastern Louisiana (4-10/1-4 SLC) in the standings and in similar fashion to where Lamar was just three weeks ago. SLU is looking to flip the script from a recent stretch that has seen the Lions drop four straight and five of their last six.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series between the two schools, 30-26 (.536) but are just 10-15 (.400) all-time in games played in Hammond. The Cardinals have won two of the past three meetings but SLU won the last meeting – a two-point victory – last season in Hammond. A sidenote to the series, Lamar and Southeastern have played in three overtime games in the past seven meetings.
 
Monday's contest is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the University Center in Hammond. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.
   
LU vs. the Lions
The series between Lamar and Southeastern dates back to the 1958-59 season with Lamar holding a 30-26 (.536) advantage. LU is 10-15 (.400) all-time in Hammond. Lamar has won two of the last three but Southeastern took the most recent contest, 81-79, in Hammond last season. The two schools have gone to overtime three times in the last seven meetings.
 
SLC Newcomer of the Year Candidate?
Wayne State transfer Rob Lee, Jr. is making an early season push for SLC Newcomer of the Year honors. He currently leads the team and ranks among the league's top 10 in scoring (15.3 ppg) and has struck for double-figures 11 times this season. He also has four games of at least 20 points.
 
What the Rivalry Means to the Local Guy
Beaumont native Andrew Holifield recorded his third 20-point game of the season Friday at McNeese pouring in 21 points on 6-of-12 (.500) shooting from three-point range. It marks the ninth time this season that a Cardinal has struck for at least 20 points in a game. Holifield's six three-point field goals were also a career high.
 
Double-Double
Sophomore Braden East has become one of the leading double-double men in the Southland Conference. The Houston, Texas native recorded his fifth double-double of the season Friday with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. East is currently third on the team in scoring (10.5 ppg) and leads the Southland Conference averaging 8.4 rebounds per game.
 
Cleaning the Glass
Lamar pulled down 36 rebounds Friday at McNeese with 19 of those being offensive boards which led to 30 second chance points. The Cardinals outscored McNeese, 30-13, in second chance points. The 19 offensive boards are also a new season high.
 
Defense Doesn't Rest
Known for what he does on the offensive end of the floor, senior Andrew Holifield is also a threat on the defensive end. The Beaumont native has 29 blocks on the season and ranks second in the league (2.1 bpg). In similar fashion, classmate Cody Pennebaker ranks sixth in the Southland Conference averaging 1.7 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 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.