Abilene Christian (13-3, 2-1 Southland) at Southeastern (4-11, 0-2 Southland)
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 | 4 p.m. | Hammond, La. | University Center (7,500)
Series History: Southeastern leads 8-1
Last Meeting: Lions 68, ACU 54 – (Feb. 17, 2018 – Hammond, La.)
Television: None
Radio: KSLU-FM 90.9                                 
            Announcer: Chris Salim
Live Audio
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Live Stats

HAMMOND, La. – The reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team looks to get back on track Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. when they host Abilene Christian at the University Center.
 
SLU (4-11, 0-2 Southland) and ACU (13-3, 2-1 Southland) will face off in the second half of the doubleheader following the Lady Lions' game at 1 p.m. against the Lady Wildcats.  
 
The Lions are coming off a 73-71 loss to Central Arkansas Jan. 5 at home when UCA scored with less than a second left off an offensive rebound. SLU has lost four out of their last five games in the waning seconds and have lost their last five by a combined 12 points.
 
Despite the loss, Southeastern showed positive signs in the second half against Central Arkansas. The Lions scored 51 points, a season-high for a half, against the Bears and committed just five turnovers over the final 20 minutes. SLU also went 13-for-14 from the free throw line for 92 percent.
 
Abilene Christian edged McNeese Wednesday night on the road in a thriller, 73-72. The Cowboys missed a three-pointer at the buzzer as ACU hung on for the win. ACU was led by Payten Ricks with 19 points including five three-pointers.
 
SLU is led by senior Moses Greenwood in points (15.7 ppg) and rebounds (7.3 rpg). The Sharon, Mississippi native is 13^th all-time in program scoring and ninth in rebounds. Senior Marlain Veal is averaging 14.8 points per game and leads the team in steals (26) and assists (76). The New Orleans, Louisiana native scored 27 points against UCA moving him up to fourth in all-time program scoring. The Helen Cox grad also holds the all-time program record for steals (190) and assists (516).
 
The Lions have also gotten great production from sophomore Brandon Gonzalez. The Punta Gorda, Florida native is averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds the last five games since being inserted into the starting lineup.
 
Southeastern eyes a fresh start Saturday against the upstart Wildcats, under seventh-year head coach Joe Golding. ACU is led by second team preseason All-Southland selections Jaren Lewis and Jalone Friday. Lewis, a 6-6 senior forward, leads the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg). Friday, a 6-9 junior forward, is second on the team in scoring averaging 13.1 per game. Ricks, a 6-2 guard from Wichita, Kansas, has given the Wildcats a threat from the three-point line shooting 42-for-85 (49%) from behind the arch. The junior is averaging 12.2 points per game.
 
Southeastern and Abilene Christian possess two of the top three defenses in the Southland Conference. Going into Saturday's matchup, ACU leads the league giving up just 62.8 points per game. SLU is third yielding 69.3.
 
Saturday's game will be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day Experience, TuneIn Radio and RadioFX apps.
 
After Saturday's game, SLU will host Lamar Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the University Center before embarking on a three-game road trip at McNeese, Houston Baptist and Northwestern State.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN BASKETBALL WITH JAY LADNER
Each Monday night at 7 p.m., beginning Jan. 7th, 'Inside Southeastern Basketball with Jay Ladner' broadcasts live on 90.9 KSLU from Rainbow Daiquiris at 14384 West Thomas Street. Talk college hoops with Coach Ladner and host Allen Waddell, cover the finer points of each game and preview upcoming games. If you can't join the crowd, you can submit a question at www.LionSports.net for the "Ask the Coach" segment. Inside Southeastern Basketball with Jay Ladner airs each Monday night during the Lions' Southland Conference schedule on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network.
 
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.