LAKE CHARLES—Freshman Callie Maddox and sophomore Bre'Ashlee Jones recorded double doubles here Saturday to lead McNeese women's basketball to its second straight Southland Conference win of the season, 62-56 over Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Maddox led all players with a career high 29 points and was one of three Cowgirls to record double digit rebounds with 10. Jones scored 11 points and picked up a season high 13 boards with 11 coming on defense. Freshman Maia Robinson tied her career high with 10 rebounds.
 
McNeese (4-13, 2-4 SLC) held a 57-36 rebound advantage with 36 of the Cowgirls' rebounds coming on defense.
 
"What a huge win for our girls today and it all started on defense," said head coach Kacie Cryer. "We struggled putting the ball in the hole at times but we were getting stops on defense and our rebounding set us apart today."
 
Southeastern La. (7-9, 2-3 SLC) had three players score in double figures with Celica Sterling leading the way with 15. Jaclyn Scholvin scored 14 and Charliee Dugas chipped in with 13. Caitlyn Williams led all players with 14 rebounds.
 
With the game tied at 21 at the 7:57 mark in the second quarter, McNeese outscored SE La. 16-4 to take a 35-25 into the locker room.
 
Kaylee Hughes gave the Cowgirls some excitement at the end of the second quarter. Hughes sank a three-pointer from beyond half court as the buzzer sounded and a 10-point Cowgirl lead.
 
SE La. started the second half on a 12-2 and outscored McNeese 24-9 o take a 49-44 lead.
 
The Lady Lions would score the first basket of the final period to lead 51-44 but a 7-1 McNeese run tied the game at 52 all. McNeese took the lead on two free throws by Maddox but a layup by SLU's Charlie Dugs tied the game again at 54 all with 2:44 to play. That would be the last tie of the game as the Cowgirls would outscore SE La. 8-2 the rest of the game with six of their eight points coming from the free throw line where the Cowgirls ended the game making 20 of 25 for 80 percent.
 
"We found a way to stay in the game and battled in the fourth quarter. These kids found a way to get this win today and I'm just so proud of them," Cryer said.
 
McNeese will have a week off before continuing its six-game home stand by hosting Houston Baptist on Saturday, Jan. 26.