If you’ve spent any time in the Southland Conference, you know that Southeastern Louisiana vs Lamar isn't just another date on the calendar. It’s one of those gritty, I-75-adjacent brawls where the stats often fly out the window and the team that wants it more usually finds a way to scrape out a win. This isn't blue-blood basketball or Power Five football with a million-dollar NIL budget; it’s pure, high-stakes competition between two programs that have been trading blows for decades.
Honestly, people outside the region tend to overlook these two, but they’re missing some of the most consistent drama in mid-major sports. Whether it’s under the lights at Provost Umphrey Stadium or the echoes inside the University Center in Hammond, these games matter. They matter for recruiting. They matter for conference seeding. And yeah, they matter for bragging rights in a corner of the country where people take their local sports very personally.
Southeastern Louisiana vs Lamar: The Recent Hardwood Grudge Match
Just a few days ago, specifically on January 5, 2026, we saw exactly why this matchup is so hard to predict. Lamar came into Hammond looking to assert some dominance, but the Lions had other plans. Southeastern Louisiana pulled off a 60-52 victory that was a defensive masterclass, or a shooting nightmare, depending on which side you were rooting for.
It wasn't pretty. Southeastern didn't light up the scoreboard, but they didn't have to. Jeremy Elyzee and Jalen Forrest both chipped in nine points apiece, while Etim Ubong-Abasi was efficient as ever, going 4-of-5 for eight points. The real story, though, was the Lions' defense. They held Lamar to a dismal 28.3% from the field. When a team shoots like that, they aren't winning many games on the road.
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Lamar’s Andrew Holifield did everything he could, putting up 17 points, but he was basically on an island. The Cardinals actually outrebounded the Lions 35-28, yet they couldn't turn those extra possessions into points. It’s a classic example of how Southeastern Louisiana vs Lamar games usually go—one team dominates the glass, the other dominates the scoreboard, and everyone leaves the arena a little bit exhausted.
Breaking Down the Basketball Numbers
- Final Score (Jan 5, 2026): Southeastern Louisiana 60, Lamar 52.
- The Shooting Gap: Lions shot 42.2% while the Cardinals struggled at 28.3%.
- Free Throw Woes: Southeastern left a lot of points at the line, going 16-of-31 (51.6%), which kept Lamar in the game longer than they probably should have been.
- Standings Reality: As of mid-January 2026, both teams are fighting for oxygen in a Southland Conference currently dominated by McNeese and Stephen F. Austin.
That November Football Heartbreaker
If you think the basketball games are tight, the football history is even more ridiculous. On November 8, 2025, Lamar hosted Southeastern Louisiana in what turned out to be one of the most intense defensive struggles of the season. Lamar ended up winning 14-12. Think about that for a second. Two points.
Southeastern actually outgained Lamar in total yardage, 292 to 255. They ran the ball effectively, with 236 rushing yards compared to Lamar's 160. But yards don't win games; points do. A failed fake field goal that turned into a 22-yard touchdown run by Jack Hunter gave the Lions hope late in the fourth, but the two-point conversion failed.
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The Cardinal defense, led by a relentless front seven, forced a turnover on downs in the final minutes to seal it. It was a massive win for Lamar, moving them to 8-2 and handing Southeastern their first conference loss of the 2025 season. It’s those kinds of games—where every single yard feels like a mile—that define the Southeastern Louisiana vs Lamar rivalry.
Why the "Little Guys" Play Better Games
Most fans are busy watching whatever is on ESPN on a Saturday night. They’re missing out. When Southeastern and Lamar play, you’re seeing kids who are playing for the jersey. There is a specific kind of intensity that comes from being the "other" schools in states dominated by LSU or Texas A&M.
- Geography: Beaumont and Hammond aren't exactly neighbors, but they share a similar DNA. Both are industrial hubs with a deep connection to the local community.
- Recruiting Overlap: These coaches are often sitting in the same living rooms in Houston or New Orleans trying to sign the same three-star recruit.
- The Southland Identity: The Southland is a "survive and advance" league. There are no easy nights.
The All-Time Series Nuance
If you look at the historical data, it’s remarkably even. In baseball, Lamar leads the all-time series 50-44. In women's basketball, Lamar has historically had the upper hand, but Southeastern has been the "giant killer" lately. This parity is what makes the Southeastern Louisiana vs Lamar keyword so relevant to fans. You can never just "pencil in" a winner.
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Lamar had a legendary 10-game winning streak in baseball back in the early 2000s, but Southeastern answered with their own 10-game streak from 2014 to 2017. It’s a seesaw. You win some, you lose some, and then you wait for the next season to try and get even.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
The two teams will meet again on the court on February 2, 2026, this time at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena in Beaumont. If you're a betting person, you've gotta look at the home-court advantage. Lamar plays significantly better at the Montagne Center.
For the Lions to sweep the season series, they’ll need better free-throw shooting. You can't miss 15 free throws on the road and expect to beat a Lamar team that is desperate to climb the SLC standings. Keep an eye on the turnover battle, too. In their last meeting, Southeastern only turned it over six times. That kind of discipline is rare in mid-major ball, and it’s usually the deciding factor.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these programs, don't just look at the win-loss column. Look at the defensive efficiency ratings. Lamar currently ranks 2nd in the Southland in scoring defense, allowing only 66.5 points per game. Southeastern isn't far behind, but their offense has been a struggle, ranking last in field goal percentage (40.4%).
- Follow the Adjusted Tempo: Both teams tend to play a slower, more deliberate style. If the score starts creeping into the 80s, that favors the team with more depth—usually Lamar this year.
- Watch the Injury Reports: At this level, one sprained ankle to a primary ball-handler like Jalen Forrest or Andrew Holifield completely changes the spread.
- Support Local: If you’re near Beaumont or Hammond, get to the games. The atmosphere in these small arenas during a conference rivalry is ten times more electric than a half-empty NBA stadium.
The rivalry between Southeastern Louisiana and Lamar is a testament to the strength of mid-major athletics. It's not always pretty, but it's always real. As both programs continue to navigate the 2026 season, expect more close finishes, more defensive battles, and more reasons to keep an eye on the Southland Conference.