BEAUMONT — Lamar has released its 2015-16 men’s basketball schedule announced head coach Tic Price Tuesday morning.

The Cardinals upcoming slate consists of 16 home dates —including seven non-conference games — and is highlighted by trips to both coasts and includes dates against Fresno State, Rice and Virginia Tech.

“We wanted a good balance of home and away games this year,” said Price, who is entering his second season with the team. “The teams that we face this year all present a different style of play. I really think that will help us in terms of our conference schedule. Also, as we build this program, this is the type of schedule that is going to help us progress the way we need.”

The Cardinals open the season at home Friday, Nov. 13, against Austin College in the Montagne Center. Three days later LU opens play in the BD Global Event, which will be four games over two weeks, including one in the Montagne Center.

The first two stops of the BD Global Event will put the Cardinals to the test as they will travel from the West Coast to the East Coast and back to Houston over a nine-day span before returning to Beaumont. LU will face Fresno State Monday, Nov. 16, in Fresno, Calif. Following the game LU will have five days to prepare for a trip to Dover, Del. to face Delaware State. Big Red’s final road contest of the BD Global Event will be in Houston on Wednesday, Nov. 25, against Rice.

The Cardinals close out the Global Event Sunday, Nov. 29 against California-Riverside in Beaumont. The game against the Highlanders also kicks off a three-game homestand for LU, which will be one of three during the 2015-16 season. The other two opponents on the homestand will be Texas-Rio Grande Valley (formerly Texas-Pan American) on Dec. 2and Idaho State on Dec. 5.

“The thing that was most important to us about the BD Global Event was it guaranteed us four games against tough opponents, including three road games in very tough places to play,” said Price. “Not only that, but one of those road games is Rice which helps with recovery time from the longer trips. We still have a very young team and these games will our guys mature on the court.”

Following their contest with the Bengals, LU will have a week to prepare for a road trip to the state of Virginia to face Liberty University (Dec. 12). The game against the Flames comes just a day before Big Red travels to Blacksburg to face Price’s alma mater, Virginia Tech.

“It will be nice to go back to Virginia and coach against the team I used to play for, and grew to love as a young man,” said Price. “I have a lot of family and friends in the area, but all of that goes out the window when the ball goes up. I want to beat them just like everyone else on our schedule. Once we step on the court, it will be just like every other game — we play for the Lamar University Cardinals, and the Red and White — nothing else matters at that point.”

The Cardinals come back to the Montagne Center Friday, Dec. 18 to open their second of three three-game homestands against Jarvis Christian. LU will be back in action three nights later against Texas Lutheran, which will be the team’s final contest before taking a few days off for the Christmas holidays. LU closes out the homestand, and the 2015 calendar year, against Howard Payne on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

Big Red will open the Southland Conference portion of its schedule Saturday, Jan. 2, when they travel to Thibodaux, La. to take on Nicholls State. The conference home-opener will be two nights later against New Orleans.

Other key conference matchups on the 2015-16 docket including a Jan. 25 showdown against defending SLC champion Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks will make their return visit to the Montagne Center on Monday, Feb. 22.

The Cardinals’ two games against rival McNeese State will be played within 10 days of each other. LU will cross the border into Cowboy country Saturday, Feb. 20, with McNeese making the return trip Monday, Feb. 29. The rematch against the Cowboys will also serve as senior night for Big Red.

All LU home games will be played in the Montagne Center. ­­­Tickets can be purchased by calling the LU Ticket Office at (409) 880-8329, or by logging on to www.LamarCardinals.com.