HAMMOND—McNeese women's basketball struggled from the field in its 87-48 Southland Conference loss to Southeastern Louisiana here Wednesday night.
 
McNeese (5-21, 2-15 SLC) shot 27.6 percent (16-58) from the field including 20.0 percent from the behind the arc while allowing the Lady Lions to score 50 points from its bench. The Lady Lions on the other hand shot 50.0 percent (30-60) from the field and 74.1 percent from the free throw line, making 20 of 27 attempts.
 
The Cowgirls scored the first seven points of the game off a Regan Bolton three-pointer and layups by Bre'Ashlee Jones and Kyla Hamilton in the first four minutes of the game.  McNeese held the lead until Celica Sterling's trey gave SE La. a 12-11 lead with 2:32 left in the first quarter.
 
McNeese went on a little run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 22-19 on a Hamilton three-pointer midway through the quarter. SE La. would go on to outscore McNeese 9-2 to take a 31-21 halftime lead.
 
Southeastern La. continued to build on its lead in the third quarter and held as much as a 17-point lead twice then outscored the Cowgirls 37-10 in the final period to seal the win.
 
Damilola Balogun led McNeese in scoring with eight points and 12 rebounds. Hamilton and Sky Jasper both had seven points.
 
Sterling led all players with 21 points while Charliee Douglas ended with 13 points. Caitlyn Williams led the Lady Lions with 10 rebounds.
 
McNeese will travel to Houston Baptist this Saturday, Feb. 29 or a 2 p.m. game.