LAKE CHARLES — The McNeese Cowboys snapped a three-game losing streak with a 93-84 win over the visiting Northwestern State Demons on Saturday. McNeese improved to a 9-15 overall and 3-4 in Southland Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After NSU took the early lead with a pair of free throws, McNeese got going with a slam dunk by Brendan Medley-Bacon and that was followed by a three-pointer by Johnathan Massie.
The Cowboys would lead by as many as 13 in the first half before the Demons began chipping away at the lead. Emareyon McDonald’s three-pointer with 3:03 left in the half made it a six-point game. After a jumper by Zach Scott, NSU answered yet again as Cedric Garrett hit a jumper to make it a six-point game again. With 12 seconds left on the clock, McNeese’s lead was down to three points but Kellon Taylor hit a jumper with one second remaining to give the Cowboys a 44-39 lead at the break.
Early in the second half, McNeese extended its lead to seven with a dunk and then a layup by Brendan Medley-Bacon. NSU kept hanging around and made it a two-point game after Brian White drained a three-pointer with 15:30 left in the second half.
After a Scott pushed McNeese’s lead back up to eight points, NSU responded yet again and continued to keep the game close. Then with 7:50 left in the game, NSU tied the game with a McDonald three. A minute later, the Demons took the lead with a McDonald three and then again moments later on a Cedric Garrett three-pointer.
Scott then stepped up and gave the Cowboys a spark hitting a three from the right corner to give McNeese back the lead. Then after an empty possession by NSU, Scott once again hit a three from the right side. The Cowboys were back up by five with little more than six minutes to go. NSU kept fighting back but McNeese had an answer down the stretch as the Cowboys held on for the victory.
BIG NUMBER: 5
The McNeese Cowboys had five players score in double figures in Saturday’s victory over the NSU Demons with Zach Scott (23), Christian Shumate (19) led the way. Kellon Taylor, Johnathan Massie and Brendan Medley-Bacon all scored 12 points each.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: ZACH SCOTT & CHRISTIAN SHUMATE
Scott and Shumate came off the bench to give the Cowboys a much needed offensive spark. Scott led McNeese with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting and was 5-of-8 from beyond three-point range. Shumate meanwhile had 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
UP NEXT: McNeese (9-15, 3-4 SLC) will play at Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday. Tip is set for 8 p.m.