BEAUMONT, Texas -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team will look to avenge its early-season loss to Lamar with a win against the Cardinals on Wednesday night. 
 
The Cardinals are just one game back from McNeese with four games left to play for the final spot in the Southland Conference tournament. 
 
"Lamar is a tough team with experienced forwards and dangerous guards," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "We know it'll be a fantastic challenge at their place Wednesday night. Our guys are working hard, looking to build upon the progress of the past several weeks. Taking care of the rock, getting back on defense, and blocking out are going to be rather important. We're looking forward to the test."
 
TIPOFF COVERAGE
Live stream: iHeart Radio
Live Stats: SIDEARM 
 
SERIES HISTORY
UIW (9-18, 6-10 SLC) trails Lamar (15-13, 9-8 SLC) in head-to-head matchups, 4-7.
 
THREES EVERYWHERE
Freshmen guards Keaston Willis and Drew Lutz have combined to hit 20 3-pointers over the last three games. The Cardinals have gone 2-1 in those matchups. 
 
MONEY MURRAY
In Saturday's matchup against SFA, sophomore guard Dwight Murray Jr. led the Cardinals with 13 points and three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. He's now scored in double figures in four of the last five games.
 
MISCHIEVOUS MISZKIEWICZ
Freshman forward Vincent Miszkiewicz has been a problem for opposing offenses all season long and continued that trend Saturday with three steals and two blocks. 
 
CLUTCH COACHING        
Cunningham and his staff have shown their ability to win close games in tough environments over the last month, winning five of their last eight games, including four victories decided by three or fewer points and two road wins.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

• Lamar is 15-13 on the season and 9-8 in SLC play. The "other" Cardinals are working on a three-game winning streak after taking down Houston Baptist, Sam Houston State and Texas A&M-CC.
• The Cardinals have four players scoring in double figures on the season, led by T.J. Atwood with 16.2 points per game. 
• Avery Sullivan leads LU with 8.1 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the conference.
• Lamar has a trio of guards who excel at forcing turnovers on the perimeter. V.J. Holmes is second in the SLC in steals per game (2.3), while Ellis Jefferson is fifth (2.0) and Davion Buster is seventh (1.8). The Cardinals as a whole are No. 6 in the conference in turnover margin and No. 4 in steals. 
• Freshman center David Muoka is third in the conference in blocks per game with 1.8 per game. 

STAY TUNED 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
 
The UIW men's basketball team is on Twitter at @UIWMBB and Instagram at @uiwmensbasketball.