LAKE CHARLES — The Bill Armstrong era at McNeese began with a resounding victory.
The McNeese Cowboys dominated Champion Christian 127-65 to open up the 2025-26 season inside the newly renamed The Townsley Law Arena on Monday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Champion Christian struck first as Kris Barnett made a jumper after a McNeese turnover. The Tigers would hold the lead for 46 seconds and never again.
Jacolb Fredson-Cole drained a three-pointer, which sparked a 9-0 run. Champion Christian cut it down to four with a three-pointer by Trevor Vertiz, but Fredson-Cole made a driving layup, and Larry Johnson then put down an alley-oop dunk that drew a roar from the Cowboys crowd.
Champion Christian hit another three — this time from Cam Parker — to make it a five-point game, but McNeese answered yet again. Johnson made a layup and drained his and-one free throw. Garwey Dual drained a three-pointer, and Johnson made another layup and free throw to push the lead to 14 points with 12 minutes left in the first half.
McNeese kept its foot on the gas pedal and pushed its lead up to 28 points after a fast break layup by Dj Richards. A few moments later, Javohn Garcia hit a three-pointer to make it 45-15 with 5:46 left in the first half.
At the break, McNeese led Champion Christian 70-25.
McNeese kept up the pace to start the second half. After Fredson-Cole made a dunk and a pair of free throws from a technical foul, that was followed by a three-pointer by Richards. With 16:26 left in the second half, the Cowboys led 88-32.
McNeese cruised the rest of the way for an easy opening victory.
BIG NUMBER: 70
McNeese scored 70 points in the first half of Monday’s season-opening victory over Champion Christian. That was the most points scored in a first half in Cowboys program history.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: JACOLB FREDSON-COLE & LARRY JOHNSON
The transfers from Oklahoma and Creighton made huge impacts in the season opener. Fredson-Cole scored 11 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and had six assists. Johnson, meanwhile, led the team in scoring in the first half with 30 points off the bench. The 30 points were the most in a debut in McNeese history.
UP NEXT: McNeese (1-0) will return to action on Friday when it plays at Santa Clara. Tip is set for 9 p.m.