BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University turns its attention to a Cardinal showdown with UIW Saturday at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. The game will start at 3:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.
 
PREVIOUSLY
LU (7-6, 4-2 SLC) shot 51 percent from the field Thursday and returned to the win column with a 66-54 decision over Houston Christian. Kamryn Wilson (17), R'Mani Taylor (12) and Shaila Forman (11) were all in double figures and combined for 40 points. 
 
JACEI RETURNS
After missing the last three games, Jacei Denley returned to action Thursday and had an immediate impact off the bench. Finishing with seven points for the night, she sparked a 10-0 run in the second quarter with a jumper, an assist, and a steal. She then added five points in the third quarter by knocking down both of her field goal attempts.
 
ANOTHER SINGLE-DIGIT QUARTER
Lamar held HCU to five points in the second quarter as the Huskies shot 2-of-8 from the field. This marked the second fewest points LU has allowed in a quarter during the season, just shy of the two against St. Mary's earlier this season. In five games, LU has seven quarters where it conceded fewer than 10 points and is 4-1 when doing so. 
 
AQUA RULE #1: TO WIN, YOU MUST HIT 50 PERCENT
In Aqua Franklin's six seasons as head coach, Lamar has had 20 games in which they have converted 50 percent from the field. Big Red's record is 18-2 when achieving this feat. The highest field goal percentage in a game during this time was 58.1 percent, which occurred last season against New Orleans.
 
LOGJAM OF A CONFERENCE
The top eight teams in the SLC standings are currently separated by two games. McNeese sits at the top with a 5-1 record. LU is one of five teams tied for second with a 4-2 record (along with UIW, Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin and UT Rio Grande Valley). Nicholls and East Texas A&M are both tied for seventh at 3-3, while ninth-place HCU (2-4) is two games back of Lamar.
 
ALL TIME VS. UIW
Riding an eight-game win streak, Lamar has won 90 percent (18-2) of its meetings with UIW. In the last matchup, LU won, 61-53, on the road in San Antonio. Denley was the second-leading scorer for Big Red with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. KJ Walker added nine points off the bench while R'Mani Taylor scored eight.
 
UP NEXT
LU hits the road to Louisiana for two games, beginning with a matchup against New Orleans Thursday at the Lakefront Arena. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.