HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team will suit up for a two-game home stretch in the University Center for Southland Conference play.
The Lions (4-9, 1-3 SLC) will welcome SFA (11-2, 4-0 SLC) to Hammond, America Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to kick off the new year, before remaining at home to face Lamar (7-6, 2-2 SLC) Monday at 6 p.m. Both matchups will be televised on ESPN+ and live stats can be accessed on the men's basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net. The game 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."
Southeastern fell 79-70 on the road against UIW down the stretch, suffering its third consecutive loss to end the 2025 calendar year. A season-high five Lions ended the contest in double-figures led by Radford transfer Isaiah Gaines with 15 points, five rebounds and four blocks. Graduate senior Ethan Pickett followed up with a season-high 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the team in an effort to try and gain the road win. Makhi Myles and Jeremy Elyzee contributed 12 points apiece while Peter Hemschemeier chipped in 10 points.
SLU is looking to bounce back and defend its home court in league play led by Elyzee averaging 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Gaines follows up with 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds to lead the team on the glass alongside Southeastern's other major contributors Hemschemeier (8.0 ppg) and Jalen Forrest (8.6 ppg). The Lions rank fourth in the league in free throw percentage (71.8) while ranking fifth in scoring defense (70.23) as they've forced opponents into 14.2 turnovers per contest to capitalize on 14.5 points per game.
Stephen F. Austin extended its six-game winning streak with a 74-64 victory over Northwestern State on the road. The Lumberjacks recorded 38 points in the paint, 17 bench points and eight fast break points against the Demons. Two Lumberjacks finished the contest in double-figures led by Keon Thompson with 21 points and five assists. Lateef Patrick followed up with 17 points, three assists and two steals for SFA on the road, shooting 6-17 from the field, 2-9 from behind the arc and 3-4 from the free throw line.
Thompson leads SFA averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game so far this season while tying for second in the conference in scoring and fourth in assists. Patrick is another key factor for the Lumberjacks this season, averaging 16.0 points and 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Narit Chotikavanic (11.8 ppg) is also heavily relied on by SFA alongside Kam Burton (7.3 ppg) as major contributors. Jerald Colonel leads the Lumberjacks on the glass, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game while also serving as a rim protector with 3.3 blocks per game to lead the team.
Lamar extended its two-game winning streak in league action before the new year. The Cardinals secured a 76-61 victory over Northwestern State before gaining a 69-62 win over East Texas A&M on the road. In Lamar's most recent win, Andrew Holifield led the charge with 16 points and five rebounds. Rob Lee Jr. leads the Cardinals with 10 games in double-figures, averaging 15.3 points and 2.0 rebounds. Holifield (13.2 ppg) and Braden East (10.4 ppg) follow up as Lamar's other major contributors this season.
Fans are encouraged to come decked out in your brightest neon and glow gear to support the Lions Saturday and light up the new year. Monday evening against the Lamar Cardinals, supporters are urged to wear green for the Green Out game.
Concluding Monday's game, SLU will return on the road traveling to Lake Charles, La. to face conference rival McNeese Saturday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. Saturday's game against the Cowboys will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
