SLU Lions (5-12, 2-4 Southland) at Abilene Christian Wildcats (9-7, 4-1 Southland)
Jan. 18, 2019 | 7 p.m. | Abilene, Texas | Moody Coliseum (4,600)
Series History: Lions Lead 9-3
Last Meeting: ACU 69, Lions 66 – (Katy, Texas – March 15, 2019)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: 90.9 FM KSLU – Chris Salim          

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ABILENE, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team heads west to face reigning Southland Conference Tournament Champion Abilene Christian University Saturday night at Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m.
 
The Lions (5-12, 2-4 Southland) picked up a hard-fought win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 62-56, Wednesday night overcoming a nine-point second half deficit. SLU held the Islanders to just three field goals in the final 14:13 on their way to the win. Freshman Byron Smith led Southeastern with 16 points including 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Maxwell Starwood added a career-high 12 points off the bench while Ty Brewer chipped in with 11. The win earned SLU the season sweep over the Islanders after the Lions defeated A&M-Corpus Christi, 84-80 on the road Jan. 4.
 
Entering Saturday's contest, Brewer (So., 6-7, 210, F), from Meridian, Mississippi, continues to lead the Lions in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (8.1 rpg) and steals (27). Senior Von Julien, out of Reserve, Louisiana, leads the conference in assists with 82 (4.8 apg).
 
Abilene Christian (9-7, 4-1 Southland) leads the conference in total defense allowing just 63.4 points per game. The Wildcats are led by preseason first team All-Southland selection Payten Ricks (6-2, 190). The senior from Wichita, Kansas leads ACU in scoring at 13.7 points per game. Sophomore Joe Pleasant (6-8, 220) is second for the Wildcats averaging 11.1 ppg.
 
The Wildcats are coming off a bye Wednesday but defeated A&M-Corpus Christi, 68-56, last Saturday at home to improve to 7-2 this year at Moody Coliseum.
 
SLU leads the all-time series over ACU, 9-3. However, the two teams played three times last year with the Wildcats winning twice. Abilene Christian edged the Lions, 75-72, in Hammond, Louisiana when Ricks drilled a three-pointer with two seconds left.
 
SLU returned the favor defeating the Wildcats, 75-66, at Moody Coliseum thanks to 27 points and 11 rebounds from former Lion Moses Greenwood. Southeastern led by as much as 15 in the second half cruising to redemption.
 
ACU claimed the rubber match in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals, 69-66. The Wildcats had a 37-27 lead at halftime before the Lions came storming back in the second half. SLU took a 59-57 lead with 2:07 to go as they had one foot in the door to the Southland Conference Tournament title game. But, again, it was Ricks hitting the big shot for the Wildcats as he knocked down a three-pointer from the wing with 1:58 left giving ACU a 60-59 lead, sparking a 7-0 run as the Lions season came to an end. ACU defeated University of New Orleans in the championship game, 77-60.
 
Fans can follow the play-by-play of Saturday's game on 90.9 FM KSLU. ESPN+, available on www.WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app, will provide a video stream of the game. Web links to video and stats are available on the basketball schedule page at LionSports.Net
 
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.
 
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