Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT – The Lamar men’s basketball team will step on the court at the Montagne Center one final time in 2018 when they close out the 2018 non-conference schedule – and the current three-game homestand – Saturday against Champion Christian.

Big Red will look for a sweep of the current homestand having already defeated Texas Southern and Howard Payne.

The Cardinals (6-6) have played perfect basketball at home this year without a blemish on their record (5-0). LU will look to keep its perfect home record intact when it steps on the floor against Champion – a team it has faced only one other time in program history. That lone meeting came during the 2014-15 season, when the Cards posted a 128-54 decision over then Champion Baptist.

One of the top offenses in the Southland Conference heading into the contest, the Cardinals have received increased production from senior Nick Garth recently. The Houston native is currently second on the team, and third in the conference, in scoring averaging better than 15 points per game.

Over the course of the past two games Garth is averaging 30 points per contest – a stretch which saw him record a career-high 36 in the victory over Texas Southern. Garth was a near perfect 8-of-9 (.889) from three-point range against the Tigers. For his efforts, Garth was named Southland Conference Player of the Week.

Averaging nearly 80 points per game on the season, LU is outscoring opponents by better than nine points per contest. The Cardinals are led by senior Josh Nzeakor who is second in the league scoring 15.3 points per game and also ranks among the league leaders in rebounding as well. The boards have been another strong suit for the Red and White this season. The Cards are outrebounding their opponents by better than seven rebounds per game.

The Cardinal received an added boost on the glass from junior college transfer Christian Barrett last time out. The 6-6 transfer came off the bench to record his first career double-double in the victory over Howard Payne. Barrett finished the night with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Saturday’s game against Champion will tip off at 2 p.m. from the Montagne Center. The game can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and will be streamed live on ESPN+. The contest will serve as the Cardinals’ final game before opening the New Year, and Southland Conference play Wednesday at Houston Baptist.