MEN’S BASKETBALL: Lamar trying to right ship as TSU visits

Published 2:41 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT – The Lamar men’s basketball team is slated to step on the court Wednesday to face in-state rival Texas Southern.

When they do, it will be the first time in a month the Cardinals will compete in front of the home fans. Ending a five-game road swing, the Red and White enters the battle against TSU looking to right the ship posting a 1-4 (.200) record on the road swing and a 4-6 (.400) overall mark.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

The Cardinals face a tough task in Texas Southern, which is always picked among the Southwestern Athletics Conference leaders. TSU heads to Beaumont with a similar record to the Cardinals. The Tigers are 4-7 (.364) overall and have dropped three of their past four outings. Texas Southern is coming off a heartbreaking 77-70 loss at Tulane on Monday evening.

The Tigers have already faced one of the nation’s toughest schedules just a third of the way through the season with games against Baylor, Gonzaga, Iowa State, San Diego State, Oregon, Arizona State and Georgia – picking up wins against Baylor and Oregon.

Although Texas Southern is a very tough opponent, returning to the friendly confines of the Montagne Center may be just what the doctor ordered for LU. The Cardinals are a perfect 3-0 at home this season, and a near perfect 25-2 (.926) in non-conference home games under LU head coach Tic Price.

Senior Josh Nzeakor leads an LU offense that is averaging better than 74 points per game. Nzeakor, a preseason all-conference selection who recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career earlier this season and ranks among the Southland leaders in scoring (14.8 ppg) and rebounds (7.8 rpg). Nzeakor is one of four Cardinals averaging in double figures through the first 10 games of the season.

The Tigers are averaging nearly 76 points per game despite their tough non-conference schedule but have struggled on the glass at times. TSU is being outrebounded by five through their first 11 contests. Texas Southern is led by four players averaging better than 10 points per game, but the offense is run through Trayvon Reed and Jalyn Patterson. The TSU duo is averaging 28 points per game on the season.

Fans who bring a new teddy bear to the Montagne Center on Wednesday will have the opportunity to throw the bears on the court at halftime. The bears will be collected and donated to a local charity benefitting Southeast Texas families. Fans who bring a brand new, unopened toy will receive an exclusive Cardinals’ ornament.

Wednesday’s game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center. It will be streamed live on ESPN+ and can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.