HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team will continue Southland Conference play on the road against HCU before returning to the University Center to face East Texas A&M.
SLU (3-6, 0-1 SLC) will visit Houston, Texas to face HCU (5-4, 1-0 SLC) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Sharp Gymnasium. The Lions will follow up Monday evening at home for a 6 p.m. tipoff against East Texas A&M (5-4) in the University Center to close out week six of SLC play.
Both games will be televised on ESPN+ and can also be heard on KSLU 90.9 The Lion, online at either www.LionSports.net/listenlive or www.LionUpRadio.org, via the following apps – Lions Gameday Experience, Live365, iHeart, Audacy, TuneIn and MyTuner Radio - or on Alexa speakers (skill must be enabled first). All you have to say is, "Alexa, play K.S.L.U." Live stats can also be accessed on the men's basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern suffered a 76-68 loss against Northwestern State in its league opener at home. SLU closed out the first half with a four-point lead, but the Demons returned from the halftime break to claim a 51-39 scoring advantage in the second half and secure the win. Southeastern battled to defend its home court, but Northwestern State pulled away with a 37-16 point edge from bench points and 18 points off second chance opportunities.
Three Lions finished in double-figures as sophomore Jeremy Elyzee led all-scorers with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Elyzee closed out the contest shooting 6-10 from the field and 7-11 from the free-throw line against Northwestern State. Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines followed up with a season-high 17 points and seven rebounds to lead Southeastern on the boards while Jalen Forrest chipped in 10 points to record his fourth game in double-digits this season.
SLU is seeking to regroup and bounce back in week six conference play led by Elyzee with 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Gaines and Forrest each add 9.7 points per game alongside Southeastern's other major contributors in Seth Jones (8.0 ppg) and Jaiden Lawrence (6.8 ppg). The Lions continue to disrupt with their defensive pressure as they've forced opponents into 15.1 turnovers per contest to capitalize on 14.3 points per game.
Southeastern currently ranks second in the league in three-point field goal percentage defense (31.1), and third in scoring defense (68.33) and steals (8.78).
Houston Christian finished 1-0 in week five of conference play after securing a 85-76 victory over New Orleans on the road. Elijah Brooks posted 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the road victory to lead the Huskies. HCU gained 42 points in the paint, 15 points off second chance opportunities and 12 fast break points as five players closed out the contest in double-figures.
The Huskies are led by Brooks averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Houston Christian also heavily relies on Kylin Green (12.7 ppg) and Trent Johnson (9.3 ppg) as it ranks fourth in the league in field goal percentage (46.4). The Huskies also stand at second in the conference in rebounding defense (32.22) and third in blocked shots (4.44).
East Texas A&M is looking to compound its winning streak after securing a 75-68 victory over Central Arkansas at home. Four Lions ended the contest in double-figures as Gianni Hunt led the charge with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. East Texas A&M gained 15 second chance points and 12 points off turnovers against the Sugar Bears.
The Lions stand within the top five in the conference in multiple categories, currently leading the league in three-point field goals made (10.22) while also ranking third in field goal percentage (46.7). East Texas A&M also holds fourth in conference in scoring offense (79.33) and scoring margin (+8.89). Junior forward Ronnie Harrison leads the Lions with 14.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest, claiming three consecutive games in double-figures. Damian Garcia is another key factor for East Texas A&M, averaging 11.4 points per game while Harrison and Michael Folarin (6.8 ppg) lead the team on the boards with 5.1 rebounds apiece.
Fans are encouraged to cheer on the green and gold with your most outrageous holiday sweater for a chance to win fun prizes and be crowned the Ugly Sweater Champion as it takes on East Texas A&M.
Concluding Monday's game, SLU will travel to Baton Rouge, La. to face LSU Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. for its final non-conference game of the season. Friday's matchup against the Tigers will be streamed on SEC 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 @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. 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.
