Sun Belt Foes Seek Momentum in New Year’s Clash MONROE, La. (Interstat) — The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks will each look to start 2026 on a positive note when they meet in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball matchup Thursday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Both teams enter the New Year’s Day contest looking to halt recent slides. Southern Mississippi (7-7) has dropped two straight, including a 90-62 road loss to LSU on Monday. Louisiana-Monroe (3-11) has lost five consecutive games, with its most recent a 94-85 defeat at Kansas State last Sunday. The Golden Eagles, sitting at .500, will rely on guard Curt Lewis to spark their offense. Over his last eight games, Lewis is averaging 8.6 points and 2.1 assists, including a 12-point performance in a close loss to Arkansas State on Dec. 20. In Monday’s loss at LSU, he contributed 9 points and 4 assists. The Warhawks’ hopes rest heavily on forward Lavell Brodnex, who has been a consistent bright spot during their difficult start. Brodnex is coming off a 21-point, 8-rebound effort at Kansas State and has recorded four double-doubles in his last seven contests. His most dominant performance was a 22-point, 18-rebound, 4-assist outing in a win over Arkansas Baptist on Dec. 9. Southern Mississippi has shown resilience in close games, with narrow losses to Mississippi (71-67) and Arkansas State (93-86) this month. Louisiana-Monroe has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 90.2 points during its five-game losing streak, but showed fight in a double-overtime, 96-92 loss to South Alabama on Dec. 17. This game opens the Sun Belt schedule for both teams. The Golden Eagles will aim to leverage their more balanced record, while the Warhawks seek a home-court advantage to snap their skid. The teams will meet again in Hattiesburg just nine days later, on Jan. 10. Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.