NATCHITOCHES—McNeese women's basketball, playing short-handed for the second straight game, recovered from a cold start in the first quarter here Saturday to snap a two-game losing streak in a 65-41 Southland Conference win over Northwestern State. The win for the Cowgirls is the second win over the Lady Demons this season.
 
"I'm proud of our toughness today," said head coach Kacie Cryer. "I thought Northwestern State came out and hit some big shots early but we stayed focused and locked into what our game plan was. We really grinded it out the first half and took over the momentum in the second half."
 
Northwestern State (0-15, 0-10 SLC got as close as three points (34-31) late in the third quarter with the Cowgirls' leading scorer Divine Tanks on the bench in foul trouble.
 
McNeese went on a 27-2 run that started late in the third quarter before Kyla Hamilton took over the game. Hamilton scored 11 straight points to extend the McNeese lead to 51-33 with 5:55 to play. McNeese ended the game on a 14-8 run to pick up the win. McNeese held its largest lead of 24 points with four minutes left in the game.
 
"Kyla really stepped up in the second half for us. She hit some big shots to extend the lead when Divine (Tanks) went out with foul trouble. I also thought Maia Robinson was tremendous for us today with her help side defense and rebounding."
 
McNeese (5-9, 5-2 SLC) placed three players in double figure scoring with Hamilton leading the way with a game high 21 points. Hamilton ended the game making 8 of 13 from the field and 4 of 5 free throws. Tanks recorded her fourth double double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Le'Shenae Stubblefield scored 13 points and Maia Robinson ended the game with 10 boards.
 
"Defense and teamwork have been the difference in our wins and that was most definitely the case again today. It was a total team effort for this group who has been through a lot the last couple of weeks navigating through COVID."
 
The Cowgirls started the game off shooting 33.3 percent in the first quarter while the Lady Demons shot 50.0 percent as they held a 15-13 first quarter lead.
 
McNeese outscored NW State 12-5 in the second quarter behind a 46.6 field goal percent while NW State went stone cold and shot only 6.3 percent from the field.
 
The Cowgirls continued their hot shooting in the fourth quarter, making 10 of 16 attempts from the field (62.5%) including 2 of 2 from three-point range.
 
Tristen Washington was the only Lady Demon to reach double figures, scoring 10 points while Julia Sion pulled down 10 rebounds to lead NW State.
 
McNeese was scheduled to play at Lamar on Monday in a game that had already been postponed once due to COVID protocol. The game has been postponed for a second time due to inclement weather that is expected Monday. A day and time have not been established. Continue to follow mcneesesports.com for all athletic related updates and scores.
 
 
FIRST QUARTER
Cowgirls got off to a cold start in the quarter while NW State shot 50 percent from the field to lead McNees 15-13 in the quarter.
 
 
SECOND QUARTER
McNeese started to warm up from the field while NW State went cold. McNeese shot 46.2 percent from the field on 6 of 13 while NW State was 1 of 16 from the field for 6.3 percent. With the score tied at 17 apiece, McNeese ended the quarter on an 8-3 run to take a 25-20 halftime lead. McNeese 25, NW State 20  
 
THIRD QUARTER
Kyla Hamilton took over the game late in the third quarter with the Cowgirls leading scorer Divine Tanks on the bench in foul trouble. Hamilton scored 11 straight points for the Cowgirls break open the game.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
McNeese continued to build on its 27-2 run that started in the third quarter before closing out the game on a 14-8 run.