HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team wraps up a four-game homestand with a pair of conference games this week at the University Center, Thursday against Sam Houston State and Saturday against Lamar.
All Southland Conference contests this season are slated to follow the women's game as part of a doubleheader. Thursday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. while Saturday's game against the Cardinals will tip at 4:30 p.m.
Both games can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU 90.9 FM, online and either the KSLU or TuneIn Radio smartphone app. Fans can also keep up with the game with live statistics or on LionVision, Southeastern's subscription-based video stream. Links for tickets, audio, stats and video are available on the basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Fans will have a chance Thursday to enjoy the Raising Cane's Challenge. If the Lions score 70 or more points against the Bearkats, fans presenting their ticket stub (or student coupon), and purchasing a combo at a participating Raising Cane's, will receive a free combo of equal or lesser value (through the following day).
Southeastern (7-8, 2-2 Southland), which is riding a two-game win streak, is coming off a thrilling, 85-77 Southland victory over Abilene Christian in double overtime this past Saturday. It was the Lions' first overtime contest in almost two years, dating back to a 75-71 overtime win against Central Arkansas at the University Center, Jan. 25, 2012.
Antonnio Benton turned in a career day with his fourth double-double of the season, scoring 27 points and hauling in 10 rebounds.
JaMichael Hawkins, one of four Southeastern players to score in double figures, dropped in 20 points.
Julian Chiera and
Onochie Ochie contributed 11 each.
Joshua Filmore and
Devonte Upson added eight points apiece to complete the Lions' offensive effort against ACU.
Benton (6.9 rebounds) and Hawkins lead the Lions in scoring, averaging 12.7 points apiece. Benton, who also leads the team on the boards, is tied for fifth in the conference in rebounding. As a team, the Lions are averaging 70 points, on 42.7-percent shooting, and 34.4 rebounds. Opponents are averaging 73.1 points, making Southeastern's scoring margin eighth-best in the conference.
Dre Evans (2.9 assists per game) and
Joshua Filmore (2.8 apg) have split time at the point directing the Lions' offense.
Sam Houston (11-5, 3-1 Southland), which swept a pair of Southland contests from McNeese State and Nicholls State last week, is also riding a two-game winning streak entering Thursday's game.
Jabari Peters (13.6 ppg), Kaheem Ransom (11.1 ppg) and Paul Baxter (10.1 ppg) are the Bearkats top scoring threats. Michael Holyfield (5.6 rpg) is the team's top rebounder. Averaging 79.4 points, Sam Houston is third-highest scoring team in the conference.
Lamar (1-15, 0-4 Southland), which plays Thursday at the University of New Orleans, has lost 12-consecutive games since a 75-66 win over Savannah State, Nov. 21, 2013, at the Global Sports Showcase in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nimrod Hilliard (15.6 ppg), Amos Wilson (12.3 ppg) and Rhon Mitchell (10.6 ppg) are the main cogs in the Cardinals offense. Donovan Ross (9.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), who played for Southeastern as a freshman during the 2011-12 season, is Lamar's top man on the boards.
In its third season under coach Pat Knight, the Cardinals are averaging 68.4 points and 32.2 rebounds per game.
Southeastern plays four of its next five contests on the road, returning home, Jan. 30, to face the UNO Privateers. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at www.LionSports.net or by calling the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office, located in the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics, at (985) 549-LION.
