BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will look to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing setback at Stephen F. Austin that saw Big Red close with a furious rally only to run out of time. The Cardinals will now look to get back in the win column Sunday as the Northwestern State Demons come to town.
 
Monday will be one of just three remaining home games for Lamar (12-12/7-8 SLC) who is looking to lock up as many wins as possible to close out the regular season to not only secure, but improve, its spot in the Southland Conference tournament. The Cardinals are currently alone in seventh place in the standings just a game back of sixth place and still just 2.0 games back of the current three-way tie for third in the standings. Third and fourth place also carry the all-important first-round bye in next month's championship tournament.
 
While Monday's game is important for LU, it is every bit as important for Northwestern State who is currently fighting to get into a playoff spot. The Demons (6-18/4-11 SLC) have dropped seven straight and enter the new week a game back of eighth place in the standings and 3.0 back of Lamar.
 
Lamar leads the all-time series between the two schools (34-29/.540), has won five consecutive games and is 22-7 (.759) all-time in Beaumont. The Cardinals took the first meeting of the year, 76-61 in Natchitoches, La. back in December.
 
Monday's game is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.
 

LU vs. the Demons
Lamar leads the all-time series with Northwestern State, 34-29 (.540), but that record jumps to 22-7 (.759) when the two teams meet in Beaumont. Lamar has won five straight in the series including a 15-point victory in Natchitoches, La., earlier this 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 387-197 (.663) all-time in Neches Arena. Lamar recorded a program-best 15 home wins in the 1987-88 season. The Cardinals are 7-5 (.583) at home in 2025-26.
 
A bEAST on the Boards
Sophomore Braden East has dominated the glass during his sophomore season. He pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds at Stephen F. Austin Saturday to secure his sixth consecutive double-double. He has recorded double-figure rebounds in 13 games this year. He currently leads the Southland averaging 9.0 rebounds per game and is tied for tops in the SLC averaging 3.0 offensive rebounds per game.
 
Double-Double Vision
Sophomore Braden East scored 33 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to record his 11th double-double of the season Saturday at Stephen F. Austin. It marked the sixth consecutive game where he has recorded a double-double. East currently leads the Southland Conference and is tied for 15th nationally in the stat.
 
Career High
Sophomore Braden East became the second Cardinal to record at least 30 points in a game this season when he struck for a career-high 33 at league-leading Stephen F. Austin. East finished the game 15-of-19 (.789) from the field with a three-pointer. The Houston, Texas native is averaging 19.2 points, 11.5 points and 1.8 blocks per game over the course of the team's past three games. East's 33 points outing are the most by a Cardinal since Davion Buster scored 39 at McNeese during the 2018-19 season.
 
Beaumont Block Party
Senior Andrew Holifield continues to be one of the most dominating defensive players in the Southland Conference. He is currently third in the league averaging 1.8 blocks per game. He has blocked at least three shots in a game eight times this season. The Beaumont native is fifth all-time in school history and needs only two more swats to reach 100 for his career.
 
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 Cardinals 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 also 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 Team selections, two freshmen of the year and a defensive player of the year.