LAKE CHARLES – McNeese is set to host Southeastern on Saturday, looking to sweep SLU after bringing down the then-undefeated Lions earlier this season. McNeese (8-13, 5-6) will tip-off against Southeastern (15-10, 9-3) at 3:30 p.m.
McNeese has one less day of rest, after dropping a huge-comeback attempt to Stephen F Austin on Thursday. The Cowboys trailed by as many as 26 in the contest, only to return in the second half and outscore the Jacks 63-43, but ran out of time, falling 99-95.
Leading the team with 23 points, was junior
James Harvey, who nailed a game-high seven treys on eleven attempts.
The Cowboys weren't able to stifle the Jacks hot long-range shooting, in particular, an offense that put up 15 baskets from three-point territory, 11 in the first-half alone.
Southeastern has been a force to be reckoned with this season, only dropping two other conference matches since losing to McNeese in January.
The Lions boast the best scoring defense in the league, allowing an average of only 67.8 points per game. Last night's 95 points by the Cowboys was the most McNeese has posted in conference play, so SLU will undoubtedly be put to the test.
Southeastern is not known for the theatrics, averaging only 72.8 points perg ame against SLC opponents. Jordan Capps and Marlain Veal lead the way for the lions with 13 and 12 points per game respectively.
The Cowboys on the other hand, have five averaging double-digits,
Kalob Ledoux is at the top with 15.5 ppg, followed by
Jarren Greenwood (13.2), Harvey (11.5), and Qutarrius Wilson (10.7).
After his 14 boards on Thursday, Wilson is now averaging a double-double in all games…. the only Southland Conference player with the right to that stat.
The last time the two teams matched up, McNeese was able to put Capps, Veal, and the rest of the Lion guards to rest- keeping them to only 26% shooting efficiency from the field- a season low for Southeastern.
Saturday's game will be the 108th meeting Cowboys and Lions match-up, McNeese leads the series 65-44. The Cowboys and Lions series dates back to 1951.
No team has ever scored 100 points against the other. McNeese scored the most points in the series with a 99 point performance during the 1998-99 season. The Cowboys biggest win was in 1957-58, when McNeese walked away with a 35 point win. Its biggest loss came in 2013; McNeese fell to Southeastern by 20 points (85-65), during the Southland Conference Tournament in March.
Links to live stream, stats, and radio for Saturday's game will be available for fans at McNeeseSports.com. Fans can listen in to the action on CajunRadio 1290/1470 AM or follow along on Twitter at @McNeeseMBB.
