McNeese’s magical season came to an end in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament on Thursday night in Salt Lake City, Utah, as Gonzaga defeated the Cowboys 86-65.
Will Wade’s team ended the season 30-4 overall and was making only its third NCAA Tournament appearance, and first since 2002.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
McNeese won the jump ball and Southland Conference Player of the Year Shahada Wells hit a jumper to give the Cowboys a 2-0 advantage. Gonzaga quickly answered with a three-pointer by Nolan Hickman, another one by Ryan Nembhard, and then a layup by Graham Ike.
After a three by Dusty Stromer, the Bulldogs led 14-7 with 15:46 left in the first half. A three-point play by Christian Schumate gave McNeese a spark to fight back and then after Schumate made a layup, the lead had been trimmed down to 23-17 but Ike quickly made a tip-in and then Hickman hit another three.
With 8:19 left in the first, Gonzaga led 28-17 and had hit 6-of-7 from three-point range. The Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas and outscored the Cowboys 16-3 in the next five-plus minutes.
At the break, McNeese trailed 48-25.
Gonzaga didn’t allow McNeese to mount a rally in the second half, as the Bulldogs kept up the pace outpacing the Cowboys 25-14 in the first 12 minutes of the half. With less than nine minutes left, Gonzaga held a 73-41 lead.
McNeese was never able to mount a comeback and had its season end with a double-digit defeat.
BIG NUMBER: 47.6
Gonzaga began the game scorching hot making six of its first seven shots from three-point range. The Bulldogs’ pace cooled in the second half but still managed to finish the game shooting 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from beyond the arc.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: CHRISTIAN SCHUMATE
McNeese’s highlight dunker was a bright spot for the Cowboys as he notched a double-double as he led the team with 19 points and 12 rebounds.