Lamar (8-9, 1-3 Southland) at Southeastern (4-12, 0-3 Southland)
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 | 7 p.m. | Hammond, La. | University Center (7,500)
Series History: Lamar leads 25-22
Last Meeting: Lions 63, Lamar 58 – (Jan. 10, 2018 – Beaumont, Texas)
Television: None
Radio: Webcast Available at LionSports.net/watch                 
            Announcer: Chris Salim
 
Live Video

Live Stats

HAMMOND, La. – The reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team wraps up a three-game home stand Wednesday night at the University Center against Lamar at 7 p.m.

Wednesday's game will be a Cane's Challenge. If the Lions score 60 points or more, fans will be able to take their game tickets or student coupons to their local participating Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers by the end of business Thursday to receive a free combo with purchase of another of equal or greater value.
 
The Lions (4-12, 0-3 Southland) are coming off a tough loss to Abilene Christian, 75-72, Saturday at home. ACU's Payten Ricks drilled a three-pointer with two seconds left to give the Wildcats the victory. The Lions have lost eight straight games including five out of the last six in the final seconds.
 
Despite the tough stretch, Southeastern has continued to improve at the free throw line shooting 48-for-55 (87 percent) in Southland Conference games.  SLU had struggled at the free throw line in non-conference games shooting just 62 percent (146-for-232).
 
The Lions have featured a balanced attack on the offensive end through the early part of the conference schedule. Senior Marlain Veal leads SLU in scoring (18.7) in Southland Conference games. Senior Moses Greenwood is averaging 13.0 points and 6.7 rebounds. Sophomore Brandon Gonzalez has also come on strong in league play averaging 12.7 points and five rebounds.
 
Lamar (8-9, 1-3 Southland) has had their share of tough breaks, including two overtime losses to Houston Baptist and New Orleans, in Southland Conference play. The Cardinals fell, 88-82, at HBU on Jan. 2 and lost, 77-71, at home to UNO on Jan. 9.
 
LU, however, is second in the Southland Conference in total offense averaging 79.2 points per game. The Cardinals are led by Nick Garth (15.7 ppg) and Josh Nzeakor (15.1 ppg) in scoring. Garth, a 6-1 senior guard, is shooting 40 percent from the three-point line (41-for-102). Nzeakor, a 6-8 senior forward and second team preseason All-Southland selection, leads the team in rebounds (8.4) and has recorded five double-doubles. The Mesquite, Texas native has ripped down 52 offensive rebounds ranking him 25^th in the nation. T.J. Atwood has been the Cardinals third scoring option averaging 11.4 points per game. The junior forward from Beaumont, Texas, is second on the team in rebounding (5.4).
 
The Lions and Cardinals faced off last year in Beaumont with SLU winning 63-58. Southeastern trailed 42-27 at halftime and was down 11, 53-42, with 11:52 remaining when the Lions came roaring back. Southeastern went on a 15-1 run to take a 57-54 lead with 3:51 remaining and hung on for the win. The Lions were led by Veal with 15 points while Lamar missed their final 14 field goals attempts.
 
After Wednesday's game, SLU will head out on a 3-game road trip beginning on Saturday at McNeese at 1:30 p.m. The Lions will, then, play at Houston Baptist on Wednesday, Jan. 23 on the road at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Northwestern State at 3 p.m.
 
Wednesday's game can be heard online at LionSports.net/watch. Live stats are available at the men's basketball schedule page.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN BASKETBALL WITH JAY LADNER
Each Monday night at 7 p.m., '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.