Lamar Travels to the Big Easy to Face Former League Rival

[NewCardinal]

NEW ORLEANS , La. – After dropping a pair of close games at home, Lamar University hits the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game at former Sun Belt Conference rival New Orleans in non-conference men’s basketball action at the HP Center.

Lamar is 1-3 overall following Saturday’s 65-57 loss to Oral Roberts. After opening the season with a win over LeTourneau, the Cardinals have lost three straight. UNO is 3-0 on the season and will be playing its home opener against the Cardinals. The Privateers won 74-67 at cross-town rival Tulane on Saturday and have also posted wins at Northwestern State and North Carolina State .

This will be the 29th meeting between Lamar and UNO with the Privateers holding a 22-6 all-time record. Lamar is 4-11 in games played in Beaumont and 2-11 in New Orleans . UNO have won the last two meetings in the series, including last year’s meeting, 64-62, on Nov. 22, 2006 in Beaumont . Lamar won the last meeting in New Orleans, 65-48, on Jan. 12, 1998.

Junior Kenny Dawkins was the only Cardinal in double-figures in Saturday’s loss to Oral Roberts, scoring 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field, including 2 of 4 from three-point range, and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. He also dished out a season-high seven assists.

Dawkins, a 5-9 guard from Holly Springs , Miss., leads the team in scoring at 14.0 ppg and in assists with 19 (4.75 apg). He is shooting 45 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from 3-point range and 92.3 percent from the free throw line.

Senior Darren Hopkins is the only other Cardinal averaging double-figures at 11.0 ppg. Junior Justin Nabors is averaging 9.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg, and is shooting a team-best 61.5 percent from the field. Senior Lamar Sanders leads the team in rebounding at 7.5 rpg and is averaging 9.3 ppg. He leads the team with eight steals.

Lamar is averaging 75.2 ppg and is shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from 3-point range and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. The Cardinals have a minus-2.7 scoring margin (75.2-78.0) and a minus-0.7 rebound margin (34.8-35.5).

UNO is led in scoring by senior Bo McCalebb, who is averaging 18.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg. He is shooting 36.2 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line. He leads the team with eight steals.

Kyndall Dykes is the only other Privateer averaging double-figures at 16.0 ppg and leads the team in rebounding at 6.7 rpg. He is shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Shaun Reynolds leads the team with 15 assists (5.0 apg).

UNO is averaging 70.3 ppg and is shooting 44 percent from the field, 28.2 percent from 3-point range and 79.3 percent from the free throw line. The Privateers have a plus-5.0 scoring margin (70.3-65.3) and a minus-0.3 rebound margin (35.0-35.3).

[Guest abovetherim]

This has always been a series that UNO has dominated. I hope for a different outcome tomorrow. They have an awesome PG so KD better have his A game or it will be the same song and dance.

[Guest coachacola]

I have a good feeling about this game.  Lamar by 8.

[LUFAN]

I hope that we play better against these guys and come away with a quality win. But here is my prediction. We play well and blow it again in the 2nd half. Lamar loses by 8. We choke again as Curry Todd's shot finally hits the goal and actually scores more points than her turns the ball over (just a dream).