LAKE CHARLES – Western Carolina connected on 15 of 30 from three-point range, led by Tre Jackson's 7 of 9 aim from long range for 21 points, as the Catamounts beat McNeese 88-69 on the first day of the McNeese Multi-Team Event on Friday at the Legacy Center.
 
Four Western Carolina (2-2) players scored in double-figures led by Jackson. Tyzhaun Claude added 19, Russell Jones Jr. scored 17 and Bernard Pelote had 11.
 
McNeese (1-2) was led by Christian Shumate's 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his second double-double on the season. Shumate made 9 of 12 from the field and was 1 of 1 from long range.
 
Johnathan Massie and Trae English each scored 10.
 
The Catamounts led 41-30 at the half behind 56 percent shooting, and ended hitting 54 percent for the game (27 of 50). The team's 50 percent shooting from behind the arc was a season high while 15 makes from long range comes a game after the team sank 18 in a win over Brescia.
 
The Cowboys shot 45 percent in the first half (13 of 29) and 43 percent for the game (25 of 58). McNeese was just 5 of 14 for 36 percent from three-point range.
 
McNeese trailed 41-26 with 3:12 to play in the first half and closed out the frame scoring four straight off layups from Shumate and Zack Scott.
 
After Scott sank two free throws early in the second half to pull McNeese to within 43-32, WCU rolled off a 17-3 run over the next 5:29 to open up a 60-35 lead. During the run, the Catamounts went 5 for 5 from three-point range and 5 of 7 overall while forcing the Cowboys into a couple of turnovers that turned into 3 point makes.
 
The Cowboys were able to get the deficit to 20 but unable to get any closer until the final make despite a 21-9 run over WCU in the last 5:51 of the game.
 
McNeese will continue action in the MTE on Saturday when it faces Lindenwood at 1:30.
 
In game one on the day, Lamar rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat Lindenwood 73-71.