Box Score WACO, Texas – The rims of the Ferrell Center were unkind to the McNeese Cowboys on opening night Friday night as the Cowboys were dismal from the field while Baylor, coming off a NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance, gelled rather well with a lot of new personnel as the Bears cruised to an 80-39 win.
 
McNeese (0-1) made just 21 percent of its shots from the field after hitting 13 of 62 while Baylor sank 30 of 58 for 51.7 percent.
 
Desharick Guidry was the only McNeese player to score in double figures as he led the team with 11 points to go along with a team-high six rebounds. The three seniors of Guidry, Kevin Hardy and Keelan Garrett made just 6 of 34 from the field.
 
"Our effort was there tonight," said head coach Dave Simmons. "We just didn't make shots. We didn't get enough scoring from our starters. And when you don't make shots you're going to struggle in every aspect of the game."
 
Aside from Guidry's 11 points on 5 of 16 shooting, Garrett scored two points and Hardy one while Jamaya Burr added five and Austin Lewis held scoreless.
 
Baylor was led in scoring by Deng Deng who had 16 points while Lester Medford added 13 and Johnathan Motley 10. Baylor also had a 55-28 advantage on the glass as Rico Gathers grabbed 12 to lead the team.
 
Baylor opened the game making first four shots and seven of its first nine and got out to a 9-2 lead less than three minutes into the game. After falling behind 16-4, the Cowboys got a three-point play from Matthew Moss and a Jamaya Burr jumper to start a 5-0 run and cut the gap to 16-9 with 12 minutes to play in the half.
 
The Cowboys were able to get it to 19-12 following a Moss three-pointer but then Baylor ended the half on a 20-5 run to take a 39-17 lead into the half.
 
Both teams attempted 31 shots in the half but the Cowboys sank just 19 percent while Baylor connected on 48 percent.
 
The second half was just as dreary for the Cowboys from the field. McNeese hit 7 of 31 for 23 percent in the last 20 minutes. On the opposite side, Baylor sank 15 of 27 for 56 percent in the frame.
 
McNeese will open its home season on Tuesday when Louisiana College comes to Burton Coliseum for a 7 o'clock tip.
 
"We're going to be fine," said Simmons. "We'll go back to work and get ready for our next two at home."
 
Following Tuesday's game, the Cowboys will host Jarvis Christian on Friday before visiting LSU on Nov. 29.