HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team will suit up and continue Southland Conference play against conference rival McNeese and New Orleans in week 10.

SLU (5-10, 2-4 SLC) will open the week in Lake Charles, La. to face McNeese (12-3, 5-1 SLC) Saturday at 4 p.m., before hosting New Orleans (5-10, 3-3 SLC) Monday at 6 p.m. in the University Center. 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 gained a 60-52 victory over Lamar at home as its scrappy defense held Lamar to its lowest field goal percentage allowed under head coach David Kiefer's leadership. SLU forced the Cardinals to shoot 28.3 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from the three-point line. The shorthanded Lions secured the win with one of their best perimeter shooting performances, finishing 54.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from behind the arc.

Jeremy Elyzee and Jalen Forrest led Southeastern in the contest with nine points apiece while Elyzee ended the night with five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Graduate senior Ubong-Abasi Etim tied a season-high eight points against the Cardinals, finishing 4-5 from the field. Sophomore Kyle Edison and freshman Garrett Shoemaker provided a spark off the bench for SLU tied with seven points. Ethan Pickett (five points) led the team on the boards with five rebounds while handing out five assists in the contest.

The Lions are seeking to compound its momentum in league action led by Elyzee averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines follows up with 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds to lead the team on the glass alongside SLU's other key contributors in Forrest (8.1 ppg), Peter Hemschemeier (7.6 ppg), Makhi Myles (6.9 ppg) and Pickett (5.5 ppg). Southeastern ranks fourth in the conference in steals (8.27) and fifth in turnover margin (+1.73) as its forced opponents into 13.9 turnovers per game.

McNeese secured a hard-fought 66-64 victory over Stephen F. Austin at home to extend its two-game winning streak. The Cowboys recorded 30 points in the paint, 26 bench points and 16 points off turnovers against the Lumberjacks. Two Cowboys finished the contest in double-figures led by freshman Larry Johnson with 18 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes. Tyshawn Archie followed up with 16 points, shooting 5-9 from the field, 4-7 from behind the arc and 2-2 from the charity stripe.

Johnson leads the Cowboys averaging 16.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season. The Savannah, Ga. native has finished seven consecutive games in double-figures and 13 total to spearhead the offense for McNeese. Archie is another key factor for the Cowboys this season, averaging 13.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. Javohn Garcia (12.1 ppg) is also heavily relied on by McNeese with 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists and steals alongside DJ Richards Jr. (9.2 ppg) and Garwey Duval (9.1 ppg) as major contributors. The Cowboys ranks amongst the nation's best in steals per game, turnovers forced per game, turnover margin, scoring margin and field goal percentage defense.

New Orleans secured a 83-73 victory over East Texas A&M at home. The Privateers claimed 34 paint points, 31 bench points and 15 points off fast break opportunities led by Coleton Benson with 17 points and four rebounds, shooting 10-11 from the charity stripe. MJ Thomas (12 points), Enzo Boudouma (11 points) and Churchill Abass (10 points) also stepped up in double-figures for New Orleans. 

The Privateers are led by Benson averaging 14.1 points per game and 3.4 rebounds while Jakevion Buckley follows up with 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Thomas contributes 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds to lead the team as another key factor for New Orleans this season. The Privateers rank second in the league in free throw percentage (74.3) and sixth in field goal percentage defense (43.6) while Thomas ranks second in rebounding. 

Fans are encouraged to come and support the Lions against the Privateers Monday for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night as we celebrate the incredible educators and staff who make our community strong.

Following Monday's game, SLU will embark on a two-game road stretch against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday, Jan. 17 at 3:30 p.m. before facing UTRGV Monday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Both matchups on the road 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.