ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Javohn Garcia scored 16 points to lead four McNeese players in double-figure scoring, and the Cowboys dominated the rebounding game 37-29 as McNeese defeated Illinois State 76-68 in the first round of the 2024 Paradise Jam here Friday afternoon.
 
With the win, McNeese (3-2) will play Longwood at 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday in a semifinal game. Longwood defeated UAB 89-81 in the day's first game.
 
Brandon Murray and Sincere Parker added 13 points each for the Cowboys while DJ Richards Jr. scored 10.
 
McNeese connected on 44 percent from the field (24-54) and had the hot hand from three-point range, making 8 of 20 for 40 percent, including 6 for 12 in the first half which helped guide the team to a 43-36 lead at the break.
 
It was a back-and-forth game for much of the first half with neither team leading by more than three points through the first 11 minutes. That was until the Cowboys got eight straight points by Richards including consecutive three-point baskets that started a 10-0 run over a 2:45 span that rallied the team from an 18-15 deficit at the 10:09 mark to a 25-18 lead with 7:08 to play in the half.
 
Illinois State (3-2) scored five straight to follow but back-to-back layups by Christian Shumate and Brandon Murray put the Cowboys back up by six at 29-23 with 5:32 to play.
 
The lead grew to 15 points behind an 11-2 run that included a nice transition layup by Omar Cooper who also sank a free throw after being fouled on the play, and a three-pointer and layup by Parker to make it 43-28 with 2:09 remaining in the half.
 
Illinois State ended the half on an 8-0 run to close the gap.
 
McNeese maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half, but even when the Redbirds were making an attempt to close the gap, the Cowboys were quick to answer, scoring 11 of their 33 points on fast breaks.
 
ISU was led in scoring by Ty Pence's 14 points while Malachi Poindexter added 13. Six Redbirds scored in double-figures.
 
Illinois State hit 44 percent of its shots (22-50) for the game and was 11 of 26 for 42 percent from three-point range, nine fewer than the school-record 20 it sank in its previous game.
 
Garcia and Shumate each pulled down seven rebounds to lead the team and the Cowboys grabbed 11 offensive boards in the game and turning around 13 second-chance points.
 
Cooper dished out five assists with three steals and did not turn the ball over once.