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BEAUMONT – McNeese will begin its 51^st season of Southland Conference play on Saturday when the Cowboys take on long-time rival Lamar in the Battle of the Border Pt. 2.
 
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Lamar's Montagne Center. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+ and on the McNeese Radio Network (Magic 92.1 FM and mymagiclc.com).
 
McNeese (3-10, 0-0) defeated the Cardinals 66-57 back in November in a non-conference game as part of the McNeese MTE. The Cowboys have lost four straight games that included two losses to top 20 teams (Iowa State and Houston).
 
Lamar (4-9, 0-0) is beginning its 48^th year as a Southland member. The Cardinals, who played in the WAC last season, have dropped four straight games and seven of their last eight since opening up the season 3-1.
 
Series vs. Lamar:
• McNeese and Lamar will meet up as Southland Conference foes for the first time since March 6, 2021.
• Saturday's game will be the 113th match-up in the series with the Cardinals leading it 59-53.
• The two teams will open conference play against each other for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
• Lamar has won 7 of the last 10 meetings against the Cowboys.
• McNeese defeated the Cardinals 66-57 earlier this season (Nov. 20) at the McNeese MTE.
• Since 2010, Lamar holds a 14-12 advantage in the 26 meetings.
• McNeese is 3-2 in its last five conference openers and 5-5 in its last 10.
 
Last Time vs. Lamar:
• McNeese defeated Lamar 66-57 back on Nov. 20 in the McNeese MTE at the Legacy Center.
• Trae English scored 17 points to lead the Cowboys while Johnathan Massie and Rhyjon Blackwell each scored 11... Christian Shumate added 14 rebounds.
• The Cowboys led 26-24 at the half and outscored the Cardinals 40-33 in the second half behind 48% shooting.
 
Joe Dumars Day set for Jan. 5:
• McNeese and Naismith Hall of Famer Joe Dumars will return to Lake Charles on January 5 when the Cowboys host Northwestern State and when McNeese State University will honor him with the naming of the Legacy Center basketball court - Joe Dumars Court.
• Dumars, who played for the Cowboys from 1982-85, continues to hold numerous career records, including the all-time scoring champion with 2,607 points, setting that mark prior to the addition of the three-point line.
• Below is a list of college and professional accolades Dumars has collected throughout his career:
 
NBA
2x NBA Champion
6x NBA All-Star
3x All-NBA
5x NBA All-Defensive Team
1985-86 1at Team NBA All-Rookie
1985 NBA 1st Round Pick
1989 NBA Finals MVP
1994 World Championship Gold Medalist
1994 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
1996 NBA Sportsmanship Award
2003 NBA Executive of the Year
2006 Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee
No. 4 Retired by Detroit Pistons
 
McNeese
1982 SLC Freshman of the Year
1985 Sporting News All-American
1985 SLC Player of the Year
1985 Louisiana Player of the Year
4x 1st Team All-SLC
No. 4 Retired by McNeese Cowboys
1990 LABC Hall of Fame Inductee
1994 McNeese Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
2003 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
2009 SLC Hall of Honor Inductee