MARTIN, Tenn. – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball squad wraps up its non-conference road slate Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center against the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, online at www.LionSports.net or via the TuneIn Radio smartphone app. Live stats, courtesy UT Martin, will be available. Links for audio and stats are located on the basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern (3-6) returns to the hardwood for the first time since dropping a tough, 68-62 decision this past Friday to Mississippi State at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss. Senior forward
Antonnio Benton turned in one of the best performances of his career, dropping in 26 points and grabbing eight rebounds against the Bulldogs.
Setting a new career best for points in each of the last two games, Benton now leads Southeastern in both scoring (11.3 points per game) and rebounding (6.3 rebounds per game).
JaMichael Hawkins is second in scoring (11.0 ppg) while
Devonte Upson is tied for the team rebounding lead with Benton and is third in scoring (8.8 ppg).
The Lions enter the contest averaging 68.1 points and 34.4 rebounds per contest. Opponents are scoring an average of 74.9 points and grabbing 37 rebounds.
Riding a three-game winning streak heading into Thursday's contest at Arkansas, the Skyhawks (5-9) are averaging 71.8 points per game. Myles Taylor (15.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg) leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. Mike Liabo (15.3 ppg), Terence Smith (13.8 ppg) and Marshun Newell (12.0 ppg) all average double-digit points.
Defensively, opponents are scoring 77.8 points and out-rebounding UT Martin by five boards per game.
The Lions lead the all-time series between former conference foes, 8-4, after taking a 64-48 Sears Bracketbuster victory over UT Martin at the University Center, Feb. 18, 2012. Both schools were members of the Gulf South Conference from 1971-1979.
Southeastern, hosting its final non-conference game of the regular season, returns to the University Center, Dec. 30, against Spring Hill. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.LionSports.net or by calling the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-LION.
