McNeese Women's Basketball
 
LAKE CHARLES—Freshman Frederica Haywood grabbed a career high 20 rebounds and McNeese snapped its two game losing skid with a 66-62 Southland Conference win over Southeastern La. Thursday.
 
Haywood was five rebounds shy of tying the single game record that is held by Hall of Famer Pat Jean. Haywood picked up 13 of her 20 rebounds in the first half. The last Cowgirl to grab 20 or more rebounds was Kendra Wells during the 2011-12 season.  Wells grabbed 21 against Southeastern La..
 
As a team, McNeese (13-10, 7-5 SLC) dominated the board by a 59-39 count. The Cowgirls picked up 31 defensive rebounds and held the Lady Lions to five-second chance points. Talisa Boyd also go in on the rebounding, ending the game with 10.
 
"Our post did a fantastic job on the boards on both ends of the floor," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams. "Frederica Haywood was all over the glass. I am so proud of her."
 
While Haywood and Boyd took care of the rebounding, Allison Baggett and Jayln Johnson took care of the scoring for the Cowgirls.  Both players ended the night with 14 points.
 
"I loved our effort tonight from the start," Williams said. "Our play wasn't always pretty but our effort was great. It was the difference in the game. I'm really proud of our girls."
 
The Cowgirls held the lead for most of the first half but a scoring drought allowed Southeastern La. to cut the lead to one point (23-22). McNeese closed out the first half on a 10-0 run to lead 32-25 at halftime.
 
McNeese started the second half on another run to take a 41-31 lead, four minutes into the second half for its largest lead of the game.  Southeastern La. cut the lead to seven but a three-pointer by Hannah Cupit brought the lead back up to 10 points. 
 
Southeastern La. outscored McNeese 13-3 over a four-minute span to cut the lead to 50-49.  McNeese kept its composure and extended the lead to five on a jumper by Baggett and a breakaway layup by Amber Donnes.
 
With McNeese leading by seven (60-53) with 3:27 to play, Southeastern La. once again got within two points (64-62) on a Jameika Hoskins layup.  Free throws by Johnson and Haywood in the last seconds of the game sealed the win.
 
"I am excited for our girls to take this effort and carry it to tomorrow's practice and preparation for Northwestern State Saturday.
 
Peaches Anderson and Hoskins led Southeastern La. in scoring with 16 and 14 points, respectively.