LAKE CHARLES—Junior Allison Baggett poured in 26 points as the McNeese cruised to an 86-35 victory over Centenary Wednesday night in women's basketball action.
 
"I am proud of our effort tonight," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams. "We played with really good energy on both ends of the floor. We needed a game like tonight for our team," Williams said.
 
McNeese was able to play every player that suited up and 14 Cowgirls scored at least two points.
 
"We needed different combinations on the floor together and we got that opportunity tonight. We just need to continue to work and get better but I am really proud of our girls and their effort tonight," said Williams.
 
McNeese held a 45-20 halftime lead and continued to build on that lead in the second half.  The Cowgirls continued to work on their full-court press in the second half and held Centenary scoreless for the first eight minutes of the second half. 
 
Centenary scored their first two points of the second half with 12:33 left to play on two free throws by Linda Gomez Gil.  McNeese's defense held Centenary scoreless from the field until the 9:10 mark left in the game.
 
McNeese outscored Centenary 41-15 in the second half and ended the game scoring 48 of their 86 points in the paint with 38 points coming from second chance points.  McNeese dominated the boards 52-33 and were led in rebounding by senior Talisa Boyd and sophomore Amber Donnes.  Both players ended the game with seven rebounds apiece and both had six offensive rebounds.
 
McNeese opened the game with an 8-0 run and then went on another 6-0 run after Centenary scored their first points of the game. The Cowgirls held a 14-3 lead, four minutes into the game.  McNeese's full-court press forced Centenary to turn the ball over 19 times in te first half.  The Cowgirls capitalized on those turnovers by scoring 19 of their 45 first half points. 
 
McNeese held a double figure lead six minutes into the game and kept the double digit lead the rest of the half, holding as much as a 27 point lead twice in the first half.  McNeese led 45-20 at the half.
 
The Cowgirls will hit the road for their next three contest beginning with a 2 p.m. game at UL-Monroe Saturday.  The Cowgirls return home Dec. 29 to host Texas Southern before breaking for the Christmas Holidays.