HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University returns to the hardwood on Saturday when it plays host to Southland Conference rival UTSA in a live, regionally-televised game at the University Center.

Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game, which will be on internet audio at www.LionSports.net, can be seen on the Northshore on Charter Cable (Channel 108), in New Orleans (Cox Cable 115) and in Baton Rouge (WBTR 41 and Cox Cable 19).

The game is also Southeastern's first-ever “Black Out” game where all fans attending are encouraged to wear black. The first 100 Southeastern students will receive a free black T-Shirt.

After dropping the last two games by a combined five points, Southeastern (9-12, 3-5 SLC) looks to open the second-half of the Southland Conference season on a positive note. The Lions, who dropped a three-point decision to SLC East co-leader Nicholls State last week, fell 84-82 at Texas State on Wednesday.

Patrick Sullivan leads Southeastern in scoring (11.8) and rebounds (7.2) and is also ranked among the SLC leaders in field goal percentage (.593) and blocked shots (51). Warrell Span (10.5), Chris Cyprian (9.6) and Brandon Fortenberry (7.0) are next in scoring for the Lions with Robert Tibbs (7.0) and Damon Forest (6.5) sparking the team off the bench.

UTSA (13-7, 4-3 SLC) dropped an 89-86 double overtime decision to Sam Houston State on Wednesday despite six players scoring in double figures. Omar Johnson, who leads the Roadrunners in scoring (14.2) and assists (87), led the team with 18 points with Morris Smith and Chris Allen scoring 15 each.

Travis Gabbidon is UTSA's other player averaging in double figures while leading the team in rebounds (6.5). UTSA will be without Devin Gibson, the nation's leader in steals (3.7), for the third consecutive game.

CYPRIAN SUSPENDED FOR UTSA GAME
Southeastern Louisiana University guard Chris Cyprian will not be in uniform when the Lions host UTSA on Saturday at the University Center.

Cyprian, a junior from Hammond, was one of two players given a one-game suspension by the Southland Conference after the Lions' 84-82 loss at Texas State. Cyprian and Texas State's Brent Benson were ejected after getting into a second-half altercation.

“”It was an altercation that was very regrettable and is not what we stand for,” Southeastern head coach Jim Yarbrough said. “There is no room for fighting in this game. It was an unfortunate incident, but we will have to rally around this and try to win a game on Saturday. We have got to learn from this and move on.”