Hammond, La. — HAMMOND, La. — Lamar University will look to continue the sharp shooting it displayed in its convincing win over Nicholls on Saturday as the men’s basketball team travels to the University Center to take on Southland Conference rival Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night at 7.

    This will be the first of two regular season games between the two schools.

    The Cardinals shot a season-high 62.0 percent from the floor in knocking off Nicholls 80-56 on Saturday. It was just the second time this season that Lamar had shot over 60.0 percent in a game, and it improved the Cardinals’ team shooting percentage to 42.9.

    Four Cardinals scored in double-figures against the Colonels, including a game-high 21 points from Mike James. Lamar also broke out of a shooting slump from 3-point range by hitting 5-of-10 against Nicholls after making just 25.0 percent over the previous four games.

    Lamar brings a 13-8 overall mark and 4-3 Southland Conference record into the game. The Cardinals stand one game behind Northwestern State and McNeese State in the SLC East Division standings. SLU, which is coming off a 55-38 loss to the Demons, is 8-11 overall and 2-5 in league games.

    This will be the 38th meeting between the two schools with Lamar holding a 21-16 series advantage. 

    James leads Lamar, and ranks third in the Southland Conference, in scoring average at 16.7 points per game. In Lamar’s seven conference games, James is averaging 20.0 points per game and hitting 50.0 percent of his field goal attempts and 85.3 percent of his free throws.

    Miles is fifth in the conference in scoring average at 14.3 and third in assists per game at 3.9. Senior guard Devon Lamb is chipping in with 11.1 points per game and leads the Cardinals in rebounding with a 7.9 rebounds per game average.

    SLU ranks 10th in the Southland Conference in scoring offense at 59.6 points per game, but the Lions are third in scoring defense as they allow only 61.9 points per game. As a team, the Lions are shooting 40.8 percent from the floor, 31.0 percent from 3-point range and 56.7 percent from the free throw line.

    Senior guard Brandon Fortenberry got off to a strong start to the season, averaging a team-best 17.6 points per game through the first seven games. Fortenberry suffered a foot injury on Dec. 11, and has yet to be cleared to return to action.

     Junior forward Roosevelt Johnson leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He also has a team-high 15 blocked shots on the season.

    Mississippi State transfer Elgin Bailey missed the first seven games of the year due to NCAA transfer rules, but since getting into the lineup has posted averages of 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds over his 12 games played.

    The game can be heard live in Beaumont on KLVI 560 AM with Dave Hofferth providing the play-by-play.

Lamar at Southeastern Louisiana

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: University Center, Hammond, La.

Records: LU 13-8, 4-3; SLU 2-5, 8-11

Series: Lamar leads 21-16

Last meeting:  LU 57-52 on Feb. 26, 2011 in Hammond.

Radio: KLVI (560-AM)

    Probable starters — Lamar: Anthony Miles 6-1, Sr. (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg); Devon Lamb 6-2, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 7.9  rpg); Mike James 6-1, Sr. (16.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Stan Brown 6-8, Jr. (4.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Brandon Davis 6-6, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg); SLU: Roosevelt Johnson 6-6, Jr. (9.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg); DeShawn Patterson 6-4, Sr. (6.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 apg); Elgin Bailey 6-8, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg); Daron Populist 5-10, Jr. (8.1 ppg, 0.7 rpg); Jeremy Campbell 6-4, Soph. (6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

    LU fast fact: Cardinals are 4-0 this season when players have been sitting out suspensions. Charlie Harper is sitting out the second game of a three-game suspension.

  SLU fast fact: Lions have been  hampered by the loss of senior guard Brandon Fortenberry who was averaging 17.6 points per game when he went down with a foot injury on Dec. 11.