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LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University men's basketball team will host Howard Payne in the regular season opener 3 p.m. Tuesday.
 
In a battle of the bees, the YellowJackets will meet the Yellow Jackets in a game originally scheduled 10 days earlier. Coronavirus concerns derailed those plans, but now it's back on for the nonconference game.
 
"In a year of uncertainty, it's extremely exciting to finally be playing at home," seven-year YellowJackets head coach Dan Miller said. "We are just thankful to finally get a chance to play in Solheim Arena."
 
LETU has played four exhibitions – all on the road against NCAA Division I opponents, including a pair of back-to-back tilts last week at Sam Houston State and Texas Southern. John Argue and Andrew Eberhardt scored in double figures in both of those road games.
 
"We learned a lot about our team playing the four Division I exhibition games," Miller said. "Unfortunately, we are coming in to these games (this week) with some key players injured, but it presents a good opportunity for guys to step up."
 
Howard Payne (0-3) is coming off an 88-63 loss to Sul Ross State. Tyrell Thompson leads the Yellow Jackets in scoring at 15 points per game, while pulling down a team-leading 7.6 rebounds per game. Michael House is scoring 8.2 points per game off the bench, while shooting 84.6 percent from the free throw line.
 
The Jackets will host the North American University in an exhibition game 2 p.m. Wednesday. 


DI, THE ONLY ONE
LeTourneau has played only exhibition games to this point – all four against NCAA Division I opponents … The YellowJackets met Sam Houston State and Texas Southern on the road to end last week … The previous two exhibition games came within two days at Stephen F. Austin and at Rice … Both Texas Southern and Stephen F. Austin State were picked to win their respective leagues by Lindy's Sports.
 
NO ARGUE-ING THAT
Soph. F John Argue (Houston/Clear Lake HS) is a focal point in the Jackets' offense … Argue had nine points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks at SFA … He had 18 points, nine boards, two steals and a block at Rice … Argue scored 13 points, grabbed nine boards, and blocked two shots at Sam Houston State … He had 12 points, five boards and two steals at Texas Southern … Argue was named to the American Southwest Conference East All-Freshman Team last year after averaging 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game … He was second in the ASC in blocks (42) … Argue's status for Tuesday is a game time decision.
 
PEARLAND PAIR
Jr. Gs Andrew Eberhardt and Kyle Matthews both hail from Pearland Dawson High School … Eberhardt was an Honorable Mention All-ASC East selection last year after averaging 10.5 ppg and 4.4 reb … Eberhardt's 67 triples last year is tied for 10^th in school season history … He scored 11 points, and had two steals at Rice … He scored 13 points at Sam Houston State, and had 11 points at Texas Southern … Matthews started five games last year, and averaged 4.5 ppg and 4.0 reb … As a starter, Matthews averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.8 reb … He had six boards at Rice … Matthews grabbed seven boards at TSU.
 
ACTION JACKSON
Fr. G Deonte Jackson averaged 11 points and 3.5 assists in the four exhibition games … He shot .395 from the floor, going 17 of 43 … Jackson scored in double figures in two of those games, including 16 at Rice.
 
COVID CANCELLATIONS
LeTourneau has had three games canceled or postponed due to opponent coronavirus concerns … The YellowJackets were originally scheduled to host Sul Ross State at home Nov. 20 … Their next scheduled regular season opener against Howard Payne on Dec. 5 was tabled until Tuesday … Monday's game vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor was postponed until Dec. 31.