BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University heads to Houston, Texas Monday to wrap up the 2025-26 regular season and hopefully secure a spot in the Southland Conference Championship tournament. The Cardinals (12-18/7-14 SLC) are happy to see the month of February come to end having dropped the last seven straight forcing the Cardinals into a three-way tie for eighth with Houston Christian and UIW.
 
Due to the recent struggles, the Cardinals will need some help Monday. To advance to the postseason, Lamar will not only have to defeat HCU on the road but they will also need Stephen F. Austin to roll into San Antonio and knock off the league's other Cardinals.
 
HCU has battled its way from the outside of the tournament picture and is fighting for the same thing as Lamar, and they are trying to thread the same needle – a win Monday plus a UIW loss to Stephen F. Austin. The Huskies are playing some of their best basketball of the season winning three of their past five games. HCU is coming off a 21-point setback to the Lumberjacks Saturday in Houston.
 
Lamar holds a 22-12 (.647) all-time series advantage against Houston Christian. The series, which dates back to the 1966-67 season, has leaned heavily in favor of the home team over the years. While Lamar holds a 10-game advantage in the series, the Cardinals have won just three times ever in Houston (3-9/.250).
 
Monday's game is set for a 7:30 p.m. tip off from Sharp Gym. It will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+. The unique start time is due to the fact that Monday's game is a doubleheader as the HCU women will be taking on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the first game.
 
LU vs. the Huskies
Lamar holds a 22-12 (.647) all-time series advantage against Houston Christian. The series, which dates back to the 1966-67 season, has leaned heavily in favor of the home team over the years. While Lamar holds a 10-game advantage in the series, the Cardinals have won just three times ever in Houston (3-9/.250). The Cardinals took the first meeting, 64-56, at home in January.
 
Playoff Scenario
The Cardinals need two things to happen Monday for LU to advance to the 2026 Southland Conference Championship tournament. First, Big Red must take care of the Huskies on their home court. If LU can secure a win over Houston Christian, the Cardinals will then need Stephen F. Austin to go on the road and defeat UIW. The contest between UIW and the Lumberjacks will tip off at 6:30 p.m. from the McDermott Center.
 
A bEAST on the Boards
Sophomore Braden East continues to be the Southland's most dominant player on the glass. He has recorded double-figure rebounds in 15 games and currently leads the Southland averaging 9.1 rebounds per game. He is currently third in the league pulling down 2.8 offensive rebounds per game.
 
Double-Double
Sophomore Braden East has been one of the best double-double men the Southland Conference as well as the nation this season. He currently leads the Southland, and is tied for 16th nationally, with 13 double-doubles on the year.
 
The Maker of Cheap Desserts
Throughout his career, senior Cody Pennebaker has been known as someone who does a little bit of everything. He once again filled up the stat sheet Saturday at UIW. He scored 11 points, pulled down two rebounds, dished out a game-high four assists and recorded one steal. Pennebaker has now reached double-figures twice in the team's past four games.
 
Climbing the Charts
One of the school's all-time leading shot blockers, senior Andrew Holifield climbed another rung the list Saturday at UIW. He blocked two shots in the game passing former Cardinal Thomas Fairley for fourth all-time. Holifield is currently third in the conference averaging 1.7 blocks per game.