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LAKE CHARLES – McNeese and Stephen F. Austin will renew its long-time rivalry after a four-year hiatus on Monday afternoon when the top two favorites to finish atop the Southland Conference standings clash in the Legacy Center.
 
Tip-off has been moved up to 3 p.m. from the original 6 o'clock start for the safety of fans, players, staff and SFA with the incoming winter weather.
 
In recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, walk-up ticket sales will be 50% off for both reserved and general admission tickets.
 
McNeese (13-5, 7-0 SLC) is coming off a 75-64 win over Lamar on Saturday to extend its winning streak to seven straight games and its 18^th-consecutive win in conference play. SFA dropped a 73-61 contest at Nicholls on Saturday and falling to 8-10 overall, 1-6 in league play.
 
The Cowboys have lost four straight games in the series and nine out of the last 10. The last McNeese win came on Jan. 2, 2017 in Lake Charles.
 
McNeese has three players averaging in double-figure scoring on the season, led by Javohn Garcia's 13.7 points per game. Sincere Parker is close behind with a 13.4 average while Christian Shumate is scoring at a 10.2 clip.
 
Garcia is chipping in 18.6 points in league games only while DJ Richards Jr. is scoring 13.6 per game and Quadir Copeland with an 11.7 average.
 
McNeese is ranked No. 3 in the league in scoring with a 77.4 average while SFA is 11^th with a 64.6 mark. On defense, the Lumberjacks and Cowboys are 1-2 in scoring defense, SFA allowing 64.1 points while McNeese is giving up 64.7.
 
The two teams will meet again on March 3 in Nacogdoches to close out regular season play.