Southeastern Louisiana (4-6) vs. Grambling State (5-6)
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018 | 6 p.m. | Grambling, La. | Frederick C. Hobdy Center
Series History: SLU leads 7-3
Last Meeting: Grambling 68, SLU 67 – (Dec. 16, 2018 – Hammond, La.)
Television: None
Radio: Southeastern Sports Radio Network – 90.9 KSLU
            Broadcaster: Chris Salim

Game Notes

GRAMBLING, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team looks to get back on the winning track Wednesday night when they face Grambling State at 6 p.m. at Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
                                                       
GSU (5-6), the reigning SWAC champion, is the preseason favorite to repeat as conference champions under second-year head coach Donte' Jackson.
 
The Lions and Tigers met last year in Hammond, Louisiana with SLU dominating much of the game. Southeastern led 54-34 with 13 minutes remaining and were still in command with a 59-44 advantage with 7:56 left. However, Grambling mounted a furious rally finishing the game on a 24-8 run capped off by Drake Wilks' game-winning jumper with five seconds left giving the Tigers a stunning 68-67 win over the Lions.
 
"They're a good team and we know that they will never quit," said fifth-year SLU head coach Jay Ladner. "Last year's game was certainly a tough one to swallow because we were in control for most of the game but we just didn't finish it off. We know they are well coached and will be prepared for us since they don't play many non-conference home games just like us."
 
Southeastern is looking to rebound from their first home loss of the season (3-1) Monday night against California Baptist, 73-52. Senior Marlain Veal led the Lions with 19 points, four assists and two steals. Senior Moses Greenwood added 11 points for SLU. Despite the efforts of Veal and Greenwood, the Lions shot just 37 percent from the field on 19-for-51 shooting.
 
"We just have to be more patient on the offensive end," said Ladner. "When we run our sets and make the other team guard us we are tough to beat. When we get out of our way and start to get away from the offense, then we struggle."
 
Things don't get any easier Wednesday night for the Lions as they face a Grambling team that has several scoring options including Junior Dallas Polk-Hillard. The junior leads the team in scoring (13.2 ppg) and has scored in double figures in 10 of 11 games this year.
 
The Tigers also possess a three-point sharp shooter in junior Lasani Johnson. The Dallas, Texas, native is shooting 52 percent from the three-point line (23-44) and is averaging 10.2 points per game.
 
Links for live stats are available for Wednesday's game on the men's basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
After Wednesday's game, SLU will travel to face Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
 
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.
 
All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @SLU_Hoops and @CoachLadner on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
SEASON OF GIVING
Southeastern Louisiana Athletics, the Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs will hold a food drive throughout the months of November and December. Fans who bring one of the requested items to the University Center (game day only) or the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics will receive a voucher for a discounted ticket.