BEAUMONT – McNeese secured the Battle of the Border title with an 81-62 win over Lamar in record fashion on New Year's Eve after it posted its largest margin of victory in Beaumont in the history of the series.
 
The win improved the Cowboys record to 4-10 overall but more importantly, 1-0 in Southland Conference play. Lamar lost for the fifth straight time and dropped to 4-10 and 0-1.
 
The 19-point margin of victory is the fifth-largest in the history of the series, home or away, and tops the 81-65 win (16 points) in Beaumont on Dec. 14, 1994 which held as the previous record for 28 years.
 
McNeese had five players scores in double-figures, led by Trae English with 14 points to go along with five assists and a career-high five steals. Zach Scott and Harwin Francois each scored 12 after combining to knock down 6 of 15 from three-point range while Johnathan Massie and Christian Shumate scored 11 each. Shumate added a team-high nine rebounds while Massie corralled a career-best eight boards.
 
The Cowboys shot 51 percent from the field (32-63) and 41 percent from long range (13-32). After leading 43-29 at the half, McNeese sank 9 of its first 12 shots in the second half to build on its lead while ending up shooting 57 percent in the final 20 minutes.
 
Lamar was led in scoring by Jakevion Buckley's 13 points while Chris Pryor added 11.
 
Notebook:
• The Cowboys begin the Southland Conference season with a win for the second straight year.
• Five players scored in double-figures, just the second time that has happened this season (six in season opener vs. Champion Christian).
• First time since UT Martin (Nov. 30) to have three or more players score in double-figures.
• All 10 players that saw action scored while 7 scored 6 or more points.
• Outscored Lamar 25-4 in points off turnovers.
• Held a 13-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
 
First Half Notes:
• 19-5 run over 5:31 mark in first half (8:03-2:32), lifting the lead from 19-17 to 38-22.
• 13-0 run from 6:00 to 2:32 (span of 3:28)
• Outscored Lamar 34-12 over the final 8:03 of the first half.
• 7 of 8 players to see action scored 5 or more points.
• After missing first five shots of the game and not scoring until the 16:34 mark, connected on 16 of 30 from the field the remaining time.
• Held Lamar to three offensive rebounds and five second-chance points in the half.
• Outscored Lamar 16-0 in points off turnovers in first 20 minutes.
• 8-4 assist/turnover ratio in the first half.
 
Second Half:
• Cowboys opened up the second half on a 18-4 run to build their largest lead of the game at 61-33 with 13:56 to play.
• Made 9 of first 12 shots of the half, including 3 of 4 from three-point range.
• Trae English swiped his fifth steal of the game with 15:32 to play, giving him a new career high.
• Held the Cardinals to 3 offensive rebounds.