HAMMOND – After a week-long break for final exams, the Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team returns to action on Monday when it travels to face in-state rival Louisiana-Monroe at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.

Southeastern (1-5), which opens a three-game road trip that includes games at North Texas (Dec. 16) and nationally-ranked Florida (Dec. 19), returns to the court for the first time since a disappointing 61-58 loss to Southeast Missouri on Dec. 1 in the University Center. The Lions trailed by 18 points in the first half before staging a comeback that got as close as 60-58 on a tip-in by Jeremy Campbell with 5.1 seconds remaining.

Senior Brandon Fortenberry leads Southeastern in scoring at 10.2 points per game with newcomer Dre Evans following at 9.2. Jeffery Ricard (8.5), Roosevelt Johnson (8.5), Antonnio Benton (7.0), Onochie Ochie (6.0), Campbell (5.3) and Todd Nelson (4.8) are next in scoring for the Lions, who average 61.2 points per game.

Benton leads Southeastern in rebounds, pulling down 5.8 per game, followed by Johnson (5.5) and Jan Petrovcic (4.8).

ULM (0-4) returns to action for the first time since an 83-58 loss at Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 1. The Warhawks opened play on Nov. 11 at Oklahoma before dropping a 68-52 decision at rival Louisiana Tech on Nov. 24 and a 65-54 setback to Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Amos Olatayo leads ULM with 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Jayon James (9.5), Trent Mackey (8.3), Millaun Brown (7.5), R.J. McCray (7.3) and Marcelis Hansberry (6.7) are next in scoring for the Warhawks, who average 53.8 points per game.

ULM leads the all-time series between the schools, 60-30, with Southeastern winning the last six games in the series dating back to the 2003-04 campaign. The Lions built a 39-27 lead at halftime before holding on for a 63-60 victory in last year's contest in the University Center. Fortenberry scored a season-high 23 points in the victory for Southeastern while Johnson added 20 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

The matchup between the former Southland Conference rivals will be first in Monroe since Southeastern claimed a 70-57 victory on Feb. 10, 2005.