Sam Houston State (12-8, 7-0 Southland) at Southeastern La (8-12, 4-3 Southland)
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 | 7 p.m. | Hammond, La. | University Center (7,500)
Series History: Sam Houston leads 30-16
Last Meeting: Lions 79, Sam Houston 69 – (March 9, 2018 – Katy, Texas)
Television: Southland Digital Network/Southeastern Channel
Radio: None                                                  

Live Stats

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HAMMOND, La. – Winners of four straight, the reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team returns home Wednesday night to face league-leading Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. at the University Center.
 
The Lions (8-12, 4-3 Southland) have won four straight games defeating Lamar at home and McNeese, Houston Baptist and Northwestern State on the road. Southeastern defeated HBU, 70-67, and NSU, 69-53, last week and only trailed for a combined 1:23 in both games.
 
"When we opened league play and lost all three, we realized that we were at a cross roads," said fifth-year SLU men's head basketball coach Jay Ladner. "And since then, we have taken the approach that every game is a one-game playoff and that the biggest game of the season is the next one and the next one and so forth. But we've certainly been fortunate the last few games winning three on the road. Those road wins are hard to come by and we have found a way. But there is a long way to go and another tough stretch in front of us."
 
SLU senior Marlain Veal continues to lead the conference in scoring during Southland games averaging 21.8 per game. The New Orleans, Louisiana native scored 26 in the Lions' win over HBU and added 21 points in Saturday's win over the Demons. Veal currently sits third all-time in SLU scoring history (1477 points).
 
Sophomore Brandon Gonzalez, has not slowed down since being inserted in the starting lineup Dec. 9 against Grambling. The Punta Gorda, Florida native is averaging 11.2 points per game over the last 10 contests including scoring 15 points against NSU on five three-pointers.
 
Freshman Ty Brewer, making his first two starts of his career last week in place of the injured Keith Charleston, was terrific last week grabbing eight rebounds against HBU and had nine points and 10 rebounds against NSU.
 
The Bearkats (12-8, 7-0 Southland) are coming off wins on the road against Northwestern State, 78-64, and at home against Lamar, 69-59. SHSU leads the conference in total defense during Southland games allowing just 61.0 points per game.
 
"Sam Houston has a quality program," said Ladner. "They are very well coached under Jason Hooten who does a great job and they are just very consistent in how they play. They're a very quick, athletic and tenacious type team and are impressive to watch on film."
 
SHSU is led by senior Cameron Delaney in scoring (12.2 ppg). The guard from Harker Heights, Texas, is shooting 42 percent from the three-point line (42-for-100). Delaney is the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Week after scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds against Northwestern State and had 24 points in the Bearkats' win over Lamar.
 
Through the first month of Southland Conference play, the parity in the league has been eye-popping with 25 of 46 games being decided by six points or less. There have also been 15 games decided by three points or less or have needed overtime.
 
"That right there shows that anybody in this league can beat anyone on any given night," said Ladner. "You can't just show up and expect to beat anyone in this league. You have to be locked in and ready to play every single night."
 
In conjunction with Wednesday's contest, Southeastern Athletics Marketing and Student Promotions will host the annual Jam the Jungle promotion. The first 300 SLU students will receive free jambalaya and fun in-game promotions will be featured.
 
The Southeastern Channel will televise Wednesday's men's game on a tape delay and the game will be streamed on the Southland Digital Network at www.Southland.org/live and via the Southland apps available for iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. The replay will air on the Cox Sports Television Network (CST) Friday at 8 p.m.
 
After Wednesday's game, SLU will host Nicholls (10-10, 3-4 Southland) at 4 p.m. at the University Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 3 and available on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network, 90.9 KSLU.
 
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.