FARMVILLE, Va.—McNeese women's basketball bounced back Saturday from its 57-48 loss to William & Mary Friday with a 62-38 win over South Carolina State on the second day of the Shirley Duncan Classic. The Cowgirls will play Longwood Sunday in its final game of the tournament. Tipoff is 2:30 p.m. (CST) with the game being streamed on ESPN+.     
 
With the win, McNeese improves to 5-4 overall while South Carolina State falls to 1-10 on the year. 
 
Freshman Lyla Kahrimanovic took advantage of her first collegiate by leading all players with a game high 15 points.  Kahrimanovic connected on 6 of 9 from the field, one three-pointer and 2 of 3 free throws. 
 
Ty Williams came off the bench to score 10 points while Mireia Yespes pulled down a game high 11 rebounds with eight coming on defense.
 
McNeese got off to a quick 7-0 start with Kahrimanovic scoring all seven Cowgirl points for the early lead, one the Cowgirls never gave up.
 
The Cowgirls held a 19-9 first quarter lead and led 41-22 at the half behind a 56.7 field goal percent, 66.7 three-point field goal percent, and a 75.0 free throw percent in the first half.
 
McNeese held South Carolina State to single digit points in the first quarter (9 pts.) and fourth quarter (4 pts.)
 
Kiayra Ellis' jumper early in the third quarter gave McNeese its first 20-point (43-22) lead and the Cowgirls led by as many as 25 points on two Boston Berry free throws with 1:25 left to play.
 
 
GAME NOTES
• It's the first D1 win of the season for the Cowgirls
• McNeese will play end tournament action against Longwood at 2:30 p.m. Sunday
• Freshman Lyla Kahrimanovic got her first career start and led all players in scoring with 15 points
• Tyrielle Williams chipped in with 10 points and dished out a game high five assists
• Mireia Yespes pulled down a game high 11 rebounds, eight coming on defense
• McNeese shot 44.4 percent from the field and held South Carolina State to 29.1 percent