BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will enter Monday's regular season finale with a chance to finish second in the Southland Conference standings and secure its fourth-straight 20-win season for the first time in program history. The Cardinals will be hosting Southeastern Louisiana at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.
 
PREVIOUSLY
LU (19-9, 16-5 SLC) outscored UIW by 12 in the second half to win, 80-69 at the McDermott Center. Five players were in double figures with R'Mani Taylor coming off the bench to score 15 points, including a third-quarter buzzer-beater to start an 11-2 fourth quarter run leading to the victory. Shaila Forman added 13 points while Solenne Olenga, Jacei Denley and Kamryn Wilson totaled 12 each.
 
AQUA GOING FOR FOURTH 20 DUB SEASON
A win Monday would make head coach Aqua Franklin the first coach since the program's inception in 1969-70 to have four straight 20-win campaigns. Last season, she became the third Cardinal coach, along with Larry Tidwell (2008-11) and Robin Harmony (2016-19) to have three consecutive 20-win seasons. Franklin is also the school's second all-time leader in wins. 
 
SOUTHLAND UPDATE
The Cardinals and Stephen F. Austin hold a one-game lead over UT Rio Grande Valley for second place in the conference standings.  While LU takes on the Lions Monday, the Ladyjacks will have a tough regular season finale in Lake Charles, La. against top-seeded McNeese. The Cardinals will get the second seed in the conference tournament with a win over SLU and an SFA loss to the Cowgirls.
 
LAST TIME VS. SLU
The Cardinals pulled out a 57-44 victory over SLU down in Hammond in their last meeting. While LU didn't have anybody in double figures, R'Mani Taylor led with nine points while Jacei Denley and Solenne Olenga tallied eight points. The Cardinals hold a 28-23 all-time series advantage, including 17 wins at home.
 
ABOUT THE LIONS
SLU (5-23, 4-17 SLC) dropped a 57-55 heartbreaker to Nicholls Saturday. Aliyah Collins netted 17 points, including three triples, while Lihi Azouri scored 13 points. Collins is fourth in the conference, averaging 14.3 points per game.
 
UP NEXT
LU will find out its tournament seeding after Monday's game. Should the Cardinals finish as the second seed, they will open Wednesday, March 11^th at 1 p.m. If the Cardinals finish as ether the third or fourth seed, their tournament run starts Tuesday, March 10^th at 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., respectively.