LAKE CHARLES — The McNeese women’s basketball game bounced back from Thursday’s tough loss to Southeastern with a 77-60 win over Northwestern State on Saturday at the Legacy Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After the two traded buckets to begin the game, McNeese seized control by going on a 9-1 run. After Zuzanna Kulinska drained a three-pointer with 6:06 left in the opening quarter, the Cowgirls led 11-3.
McNeese maintained its double-digit lead for the remainder of the opening quarter. The Cowgirls closed out the period with a Kyla Hamilton jumper and held a 25-14 lead at the end of the first.
McNeese extended its lead to 15 points after both Kaili Chamberlain and Cristina Gil hit threes on back-to-back Cowgirl possessions. NSU responded by going on a 10-0 run.
McNeese managed to put its lead back up to eight points but NSU rallied yet again. After Josie Fleischmann’s layup with five seconds left before halftime, McNeese’s lead was down to 39-38. That was plenty of time for the Cowgirls to regain some momentum as Chamberlain banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer. At the break, McNeese held a 42-38 lead.
McNeese opened up the third on a 8-0 run and the Cowgirls pushed their lead to as much as 13 in the quarter. NSU closed out the period on a 5-0 run and Demons trailed the Cowgirls 58-50.
McNeese jumped out with a couple of buckets to start the fourth and the Cowgirls continued to build on that double-digit lead as the team picked up its third straight win, and fourth in the last five, against the Demons.
BIG NUMBER: 25
The McNeese Cowgirls got significant contributions from their bench in Saturday’s victory as 25 of the 77 points came courtesy of the bench. NSU’s bench meanwhile only scored six points in the game.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: KAILI CHAMBERLAIN & DIVINE TANKS
Chamberlain led the Cowgirls with 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, while Tanks recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
UP NEXT: McNeese (9-11, 4-3 SLC) returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Hammond to take on Southeastern. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.