BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference teams looking to build late-season momentum will meet Saturday when the Lamar Cardinals host the New Orleans Privateers at the Montagne Center. Both teams enter the Feb. 21 matchup with nearly identical records. New Orleans (13-15 overall) holds a one-game edge over Lamar (12-15) in the win column. The Privateers won the season’s first meeting, 89-76, in New Orleans on Jan. 19. New Orleans arrives having snapped a two-game skid with a 78-64 road victory at Incarnate Word on Monday. Guard Jakevion Buckley led the way with 16 points and four assists. Buckley, a key player to watch for the Privateers, has been a consistent offensive catalyst, averaging 16.1 points over his last eight games. He scored 25 points in a loss to Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 7 and 22 in an overtime win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 9. Lamar seeks to end a four-game losing streak after falling 70-65 at Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Monday. Guard Cody Pennebaker, a player to watch for the Cardinals, scored 12 points in that contest. Pennebaker has shown flashes, posting 12 points in a win over Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 2 and eight points with five assists in a close loss to Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 24. The game will feature two of the conference’s middle-tier teams jockeying for position ahead of the Southland tournament. New Orleans has shown a potent offense at times, but has struggled defensively in recent losses. Lamar will look to leverage home-court advantage to reverse its recent fortunes and avenge its January loss. Following this game, New Orleans travels to face Stephen F. Austin on Monday. Lamar remains at home to host Nicholls State on Monday.