Preview: Texas A&M-Commerce at Lamar BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — A Southland Conference rematch awaits Monday night as the Lamar Cardinals host the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions at the Montagne Center. The Cardinals (10-10, 4-3 Southland) look to complete a regular-season sweep after defeating the Lions 69-62 in Commerce on Dec. 31. Lamar, however, enters on a two-game skid following an 88-81 home loss to Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. In that game, forward Braden East posted a dominant double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, adding four assists and three blocks. East has been a key performer, averaging 17.4 points over his last five contests. Texas A&M-Commerce (8-12, 3-4) arrives with momentum from its most complete performance of the conference season, an 80-58 road rout of Incarnate Word last Monday. Guard Gianni Hunt, the Lions’ engine, tallied 15 points and seven assists in that victory. Over his last five games, Hunt has averaged 11.2 points and 6.4 assists, serving as the primary facilitator for an offense that will need efficiency to counter Lamar’s interior presence. The first matchup was defined by defense and Lamar’s ability to contain Commerce’s shooters. The Lions were held to 32.8% shooting from the field. Reversing that trend will be critical for the visitors, who have shown volatility, following their 22-point win with a 50-point outing in a loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi just a week prior. Lamar’s consistency has also wavered, mixing strong defensive wins with recent high-scoring losses. Protecting home court is vital as they sit just above .500 in league play. The Cardinals’ frontcourt, led by East, will test a Commerce defense that allows an average of 73.6 points per game. The game tips off at 8 p.m. EST Monday as both teams jockey for position in the tightly contested Southland standings. For the Lions, it’s a chance for redemption and to climb back to an even conference record. For the Cardinals, it’s an opportunity to solidify their hold on the upper half of the league and build a winning streak heading into February.