BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will look to put the disappointment of Saturday's six-point setback to New Orleans behind them as they turn their attention to Nicholls. With three games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season schedule, the Cardinals will look to flip the script on what has been a tough month of February.
 
The Cardinals (12-16/7-12 SLC) enter the new week fighting for their spot in the 2026 SLC Championship tournament which will take place next month in Lake Charles, La. Big Red has struggled down the stretch dropping five straight and six of seven and currently sits tied for seventh overall with Northwestern State. Lamar is currently 3.0 games back of fifth in the standings and a game up on three teams tied for ninth.
 
The Colonels (11-17/10-9 SLC) have had their own struggles lately. While they sit in a two-way tie for fifth in the standings, the Colonels roared out of the gates and were the last remaining undefeated team in the conference standings at 6-0 before dropping their next five games. Nicholls now heads to Beaumont having dropped consecutive games and four of the last five.
 
Lamar leads the all-time series against Nicholls, 34-16 (.680), a record that includes a 20-6 (.769) when the two teams meet in Beaumont. The Cardinals have won six straight in the series and seven of the previous 10.
 
Monday's game is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. The game will also be broadcast on CBS Sports.
   
LU vs. the Colonels
The Cardinals own a 34-16 (.680) all-time record against Nicholls, a mark that improves to 20-6 (.769) when the two square off in the Golden Triangle. The Cardinals have had the upper hand in the series lately winning six straight and seven of the last 10 meetings. The Cardinals recorded a 10-point victory in Thibodaux last month.
 
Saying Good-Bye to Our Seniors
Monday's contest will be the final home game for five members of the Cardinals' basketball team - Janko Bulajic, Andrew Holifield, B.B. Knight, Cody Pennebaker and Errol White. This senior class consists of two-year to four-year letterwinners who posted improved win totals each of the previous three years culminating in a 19-win season two years ago and a 20-win campaign last year that saw Lamar advance to the conference tournament finals.
 
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 387-199 (.661) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. The Cardinals are 7-7 (.500) at home in 2025-26.
 
A bEAST on the Boards
Despite missing Saturday's contest against New Orleans, Houston native Braden East has dominated the Southland in rebounds during the 2025-26 season. He has recorded double-figure rebounds in 14 games and currently leads the Southland averaging 9.1 rebounds per game and is second in the league pulling down 2.9 offensive rebounds per game.
 
Double-Double
Sophomore Braden East has been one of the best double-double men non only in the Southland Conference but the nation as well. He currently leads the Southland, and is tied for 18th nationally, with 18 double-doubles.
 
Keeping a Lowe Profile
Freshman Eian Lowe was inserted into the starting lineup Saturday and rewarded head coach Alvin Brooks' decision with one his best games of the season. Lowe ended the night with 13 points and four assists. It is the fourth time this season that Lowe has hit the double-figure mark, including twice in the past two games.
 
Century Mark
Last week, senior Andrew Holifield reached a career milestone becoming just the fifth Cardinal all-time to record 100 blocks for his career. This coming in less than two full seasons with the team, he currently needs just two more blocks to move into fourth all-time at LU (Thomas Fairley - 105). He is currently third in the SLC averaging 1.8 per game.
 
Enter the Cardinal
Junior Rob Lee Jr. is making a push for Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. The Flint, Mich., native has scored at least 20 points in a game 10 times this season. He currently leads the team and is ranked sixth in the conference averaging 16.2 points 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 Cardinal standout point guards, Brooks guided the Red and White to a 47-16 (.746) overall record, two conference titles, the NCAA Sweet 16, a 3-2 record in the NCAA Championship tournament and graduated as the school's all-time leader in assists. He is also a member of the Cardinals Hall of Honor.