SLU Lions (0-0) at Purdue Fort Wayne Mastadons (0-0)
Nov. 25, 2020 | 6 p.m. CT | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Gates Sports Center 
Series History: First Meeting
Watch: ESPN3
Radio: None

Live Video

Live Stats

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team opens the 2020-21 season Wednesday night at 6 p.m. central time when they take on Purdue Fort Wayne at the Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne.
 
Wednesday marks the beginning of a 11-game road trip for SLU as they take on PFW (13-19, 6-10 Summit League in 2019) for the first time in school history.
 
The Lions added a lot of new pieces to the puzzle this year led by newcomers Keon Clergeot (6-1, 190, G) and Joe Kasperzyk (6-3, 190, G).
 
Clergeot, a senior transfer from UMass, played in 30 of 31 games with 16 starts for the Minutemen last season in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Winter Haven, Florida native also had 46 assists and 23 steals during the 2019-20 season.
 
Kasperzyk, a junior transfer, averaged 12.2 points per game for Odessa College last season. The New Haven, Connecticut native could be a valuable piece to the Lions' success along with Clergeot.
 
Sophomores Byron Smith (6-3, 180, G) and Nick Caldwell (6-7, 215, F) gained valuable experience during the 2019-20 campaign.
 
Smith, out of Palatka, Florida, played in all 31 games last season with 28 starts. The P.K. Yonge grad was second on the team in steals (29) and averaged 7.7 points per game.
 
Caldwell, a Geismar, Louisiana native, was second on the team in blocked shots, third in steals while averaging 6.7 points per game in just 18.3 minutes a contest. Smith and Caldwell could see increased roles for SLU with the Lions' daunting non-conference schedule.
 
The Mastadons are led by returning leading scorer from last season, Jarred Godfrey (6-5, 185, Jr.). The guard averaged 15.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while leading PFW in steals (41).
 
Following Wednesday's contest, the Lions will get set for a showdown with UAB Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
Fans can follow the play-by-play of Wednesday's game with Purdue Fort Wayne on ESPN3, 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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.