BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University sits in a three-way tie for second in the Southland Conference standings and is hosting New Orleans at Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Saturday. The game will start at 3 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.
 
PREVIOUSLY
The Cardinals (16-9, 13-5 SLC) came up victorious, 62-52, over Nicholls Thursday evening. Solenne Olenga set career highs in both points (15) and rebounds (14) to have her second double-double of the season while T'Aaliyah Miner (10 rebounds, nine points) was a point shy of her own double-double and blocked a career-high four shots. 
 
CRASHING THE BOARDS X 57
LU secured a season-high 57 rebounds against the Colonels Thursday. This is the second time this season and the fifth time in the Aqua Franklin era the Cardinals have pulled down 50 or more rebounds in a game. It's also the highest total of rebounds during Coach Franklin's seven seasons at the helm.
 
MOVE OVER ROBIN, AQUA'S IN SECOND NOW
Head coach Aqua Franklin will be coaching her 200th career game at Lamar. Saturday's win over the Islanders marked the 115th of her career, which ties her for second all-time in program history with Robin Harmony (2014-19). The record for most wins belongs to Larry Tidwell (2007-13), who won 128.
 
OUR FOUR WOMEN OF THE HOUR
The Cardinals will be honoring four seniors Saturday in Chisom Oguego, Alexis Parker, R'Mani Taylor and KJ Walker. Oguego and Parker transferred in to help the Cardinals win 16 games and be in position for a top-three finish in the conference standings. Walker was part of 38 victories in two seasons for LU, while Taylor helped the Cardinals to three-straight 20-win seasons, two SLC tournament championship game appearances and a regular-season conference title in 2024.
 
LAST TIME VS. NEW ORLEANS
The Cardinals outscored UNO by 11 in the second half to pick up a 72-56 victory at Lakefront Arena. Shaila Forman led the way with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including 15 in the third quarter, while Jacei Denley (11) and Kamryn Wilson (10) combined for 21 points. LU holds a 27-19 mark all-time against the Privateers.
 
ABOUT THE PRIVATEERS
UNO (3-23, 3-15 SLC) has lost the last two games after allowing 101 points against Stephen F. Austin Thursday. The Privateers average 61.9 points per game, which is ninth in the conference. However, UNO is giving up a conference-worst 81.5 ppg.
 
UP NEXT
LU will begin its last two regular-season road games by heading to Houston Thursday to take on Houston Christian at Sharp Gym. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.