AUSTIN, Texas---The eyes of Texas were upon McNeese women's basketball Wednesday night as the Cowgirls gained respect despite falling 76-59 to third ranked Texas.
 
"I am so proud of our fight tonight," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.  "We competed on a national stage and battled until the end. We responded and learned from our first outing in a similar environment (Texas A&M) and played with a different composure today.  I'm really proud of our girls. We got better as a team tonight," Williams said.
 
The 59 points scored by the Cowgirls equals the third most points given up by Texas this season.  Tennessee, who was ranked no. 4/5 also scored 59 points in a 72-59 loss to Texas on Nov. 30.  Stanford scored 81 and UCLA scored 65 against the Longhorns earlier this season.
 
McNeese trailed 44-19 at the half behind a 27.6 shooting percent including a 14.3 three-point field goal percent.  Texas pulled out to its lead behind second chance points and their transition off of Cowgirl misses.  The Cowgirls had good looks but couldn't hit the shots.
 
The Cowgirls (5-4) shot better in the second half, 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. Junior guard Jayln Johnson kick started the Cowgirls that started scoring run to cut the lead to 10 points with 11:11 to play.  Allison Baggett scored the Cowgirls' first five points of the second half before Johnson scored the Cowgirls' next 14 points including a three-point play and three straight treys.  Baggett scored a game-high 22 points and Johnson chipped in 20 points, 18 coming in the second half.
 
Texas (9-0) go double figure scoring from four players. Nneka Ememkpali who is on three of the major national player of the year watch lists led Texas with a double-double (18 points, 14 rebounds).  Kelsey Lang also scored 18 points, Brianna Taylor chipped in 14 and Celina Rodrigo ended the game with 10.
 
McNeese will conclude its road trip on Friday when the Cowgirls ttravel to Rice in a 6 p.m. game.