The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team travels to Athens this Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game against Trinity Valley Community College, the No. 16 team in the nation in the most recent NJCAA weekly poll.

  The Seahawks improved to 16-5 overall and 5-5 in Region XIV action Wednesday night with an 86-65 home win over Bossier Parish Community College, which is in last place in the conference’s North Zone.

  Lamar State head coach enjoyed the win after seeing his team lose two straight conference games.

  “We played really good basketball during the first 30 minutes versus Bossier. We finally were able to get out in transition and get some easy baskets scoring,” Cross said.

  Cross also was pleased with the play of sophomore post Gordon Ball, who scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the first half.

  “Gordon had his best offensive game of the year,” Cross said. “We need him to continue to step up and play big the rest of the way for us to continue winning.”

  The Seahawks will need potent offense to top Trinity Valley (18-3, 7-3), which is coming off an 87-69 home win over Lee College.

  The Cardinals have won five straight games and eight of their last nine.

  Lamar State’s sophomores would like some payback against the Cardinals, who eliminated the Seahawks, 73-67, in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Region XIV Tournament.   

  “Trinity Valley has a very good team this year, and they have been wreaking havoc at home this year because of their full-court pressure defense, which is difficult to handle,” Cross said. “How successful we are handling that pressure will be the biggest key to winning the game. They also want to get the ball up the floor quickly and convert easy baskets. So, it’s important for us to take those transition looks away and get our defense set.”

  Injuries also will be a key for Lamar State, which suffered several injuries in the Bossier game.

  “Vonn Jones severely bruised his calf, Ray Lewis pulled his groin and Darrion Booker is suffering from shin splints,” Cross said. “We are trying to address these injuries and hope these players will be able to give it a go Saturday afternoon.”

  Lamar State will be on the road again next Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Kilgore College. The Seahawks will be home Saturday, Feb. 5, against Lee College.