Southeastern La (7-12, 3-3 Southland) at Northwestern State (7-12, 2-4 Southland)
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 | 3 p.m. | Natchitoches, La. | Prather Coliseum (3,900)
Series History: Northwestern State leads 85-51
Last Meeting: Lions 86, Demons 62 – (Feb. 24, 2018 – Natchitoches, La.)
Television: None
Radio: KSLU-FM 90.9                                 
            Announcer: Chris Salim

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NATCHITOCHES, La. – The reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team wraps up a three-game road trip Saturday afternoon against Northwestern State at Prather Coliseum at 3 p.m.
 
The Lions (7-12, 3-3 Southland) are eying their fourth consecutive victory under fifth-year head coach Jay Ladner. In their last three games, SLU defeated Lamar (76-69) at home and McNeese (74-71) and Houston Baptist (70-67) on the road.
 
"We are certainly headed in the right direction," said Ladner. "But there is still room for improvement. I thought we got a little careless at times with the basketball late in the game (Wednesday at HBU) and those are things that can get you beat. But I like the toughness we've shown the last few games and the fact that a lot of different guys are making big plays down the stretch of these games has been big."
 
With Wednesday's win at HBU, Ladner became the fourth winningest coach in SLU history picking up his 66^th win as Lions' head coach passing E.W. Foy.
 
SLU senior Marlain Veal has been on fire scoring 26 points in the Lions' win against Houston Baptist. The New Orleans, Louisiana native is leading the Southland in scoring during conference games averaging 21.8 points per game. The Helen Cox grad currently sits third in all-time SLU scoring with 1,456 career points behind Hank Washington (1,585).
 
Moses Greenwood has continued his rock solid season scoring 15 points in Wednesday's game. The Sharon, Mississippi native has scored in double figures 17 times in 20 games and leads the team in rebounding (7.2)
 
Northwestern State (7-12, 2-4 Southland) is coming off a loss at home to league-leading Sam Houston State (11-8, 6-0 Southland), 78-64. The Bearkats drilled 14 three-pointers in Wednesday's victory over the Demons.
 
Despite the loss, NSU has drastically improved from a year ago under 20^th-year head coach Mike McConathy. After finishing 4-25 in the 2017-18 season, the Demons have posted wins over McNeese and Stephen F. Austin.
 
"I've always looked up to Coach McConathy," said Ladner. "He is one of the pioneers in the conference and to be able to be successful for as long as he has in this day in age of coaching is truly remarkable. He is also just a great guy that is easy to like. Twenty years in this league, that's impressive to say the least."
 
Northwestern State is led by preseason first team All-Southland selection Ishmael Lane. The senior from Port Allen, Louisiana leads the Demons in scoring (12.7) and rebounding (8.4)
 
Despite the Lions' win last year at Prather Coliseum, 86-62, they have not fared well in recent history losing the previous six games in Natchitoches.
 
"They have a dangerous basketball team that is capable of beating us just like anyone else in the conference," said Ladner. "It's going to be another tough game in another tough environment."
 
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 Sam Houston State Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the University Center. The game will be broadcast on the Southland Digital Network.
 
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.