HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team wraps up the home portion of its 2013-14 schedule this week with Southland Conference contests, Thursday, against Northwestern State and, Saturday, against Stephen F. Austin.
Thursday will be Jam the Jungle in the University Center and tip off against the Demons (12-13, 8-6 Southland) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Students will receive free food and t-shirts while supplies last. Students are also encouraged to wear gold, as the Lions attempt to "Gold Out the UC".
Fans will have a chance Thursday to enjoy the Raising Cane's Challenge. If the Lions score 70 or more points against the Demons, 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).
Senior Day will be Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the University Center against SFA (25-2, 14-0 Southland). The men's basketball senior class of
Dre Evans,
Antonnio Benton,
Jeremy Campbell and Jeffrey Ricard will be recognized prior to the men's game.
Saturday will also be Take A Kid to the Game Day at the University Center. Children ages 12 and under will receive free admission with the purchase of a full price adult ticket.
All 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. Thursday's women's/men's basketball doubleheader will feature exclusive television converage on ESPN3.
Southeastern (11-14, 6-8 Southland) last played a one week ago, dropping a 67-59 decision in Southland play at the University of New Orleans to snap a two-game winning streak. Senior forward
Antonnio Benton led the Lions with 16 points and five rebounds.
Julian Chiera added 10 points while
Dre Evans and
JaMichael Hawkins contributed nine points apiece. Southeastern converted 19-of-46 shots from the floor (41.3 percent), but was out-rebounded 35-24 in the game.
Hawkins (13.4 points per game) and Benton (12.0 ppg, 6.5 rebounds) lead the Lions in scoring. Evans (2.8 assists) and
Joshua Filmore (2.7 apg) have split time at the point directing the Lions' offense.
As a team Southeastern is averaging 70 points, on 43.9 percent shooting, and 32.8 rebounds. Opponents are averaging 72.2 points, making the Lions' scoring margin ninth-best in the conference.
The Lions' magic number for securing a second-straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament is two. Any combination of two Southeastern wins and/or Central Arkansas losses will clinch a spot for the Lions.
Jalan West (18.7 ppg, 6.7 apg) is Northwestern State's leading scorer and the top assist man in the Southland. DeQuan Hicks (15.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Brison White (13.7 ppg) and Zikiteran Woodley (13.3 ppg) all average in double-figure scoring. As a team, the Demons are averaging a conference-best 85.6 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Northwestern State is third in the Southland in rebounding with an average of 38.1 boards per contest.
The Demons have dropped two of their last three games, including 70-68 loss at SFA this past Saturday.
Jacob Parker (15.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg) leads five Lumberjacks in double-figure scoring, including Desmond Haymon (13.9 ppg), Thomas Walkup (11.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Deshaunt Walker (11.5 ppg), Nikola Gajic (10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg). As a team, SFA is averaging 75 points, on 45.8 percent shooting, and 33.4 boards per contest.
SFA enters Thursday's contest at UNO riding a 22-game winning streak, the second-longest active streak in the nation.
Southeastern concludes the regular season with a pair of games next week at Sam Houston State and Lamar.
