GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman – Javohn Garcia scored a career-high matching 26 points, 20 of those in the second half, as McNeese overcame an early 11-point deficit to beat Middle Tennessee 72-62 here Tuesday to capture the Cayman Islands Classic championship after going 3-0 in three days.
 
It's the first-ever in-season tournament championship for the McNeese basketball program.
 
McNeese improves to 6-1 on the season after winning its fifth-consecutive game. Middle Tennessee fell to 4-3 and ended Classic play with a 1-2 record.
 
"This was different from the first two games. It's only the second time we've trailed at the half this year, the last time was Santa Clara," said head coach Bill Armstrong. "So finding a way to win the game after trailing at the half in such a high-level, championship-type atmosphere, it says a lot about our team and the guys.
 
"We had different guys step up like Carl (Cherenfant) who played 29 minutes. He came in and gave us great second half minutes and with 10 rebounds. And I don't have enough words to say about JG. What a tournament he had. Going to make every big play offensively for us in the second half. To finish with 26 in a game like that, I'm just happy for him."
 
Garcia scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half and hit one of his two 3-point baskets in the half to cut the Middle Tennessee lead to 48-43 with 12:48 to play in the game. His second three tied the game 53-53 with 8:10 remaining. That started a 10-0 run for the Cowboys as the Blue Raiders were held scoreless for nearly five minutes during the run.
 
Tyshawn Archie added 15 points to join Garcia as the double-digit scorers for the Cowboys. Carl Cherenfant led the team with 10 rebounds and added seven points, three steals and a blocked shot.
 
McNeese held a 38-31 advantage in the rebounding department and pulled down 18 offensive boards which led to 25 second chance points.
 
MTSU had four players score in double-figures led by Kamari Lands with 18 points after hie knocked down 5 of 8 from three-point range. The Blue Raiders connected on 10 of 22 from behind the arc for the game.
 
The Cowboys struggled from behind the arc, making 5 of 19 for the game. They changed things up in the second half and took fewer attempts while attacking the paint more and the end result being a 30-12 advantage in points in the paint
 
MTSU led 20-9 early in the game but the Cowboys were able to claw back and pull to within 34-28 at the half.
 
Buckets by Garcia and Archie opened the second half to cut the deficit to 34-32 but the Raiders continued their hot hand from three-point range, using that to go back up by nine points at 47-38 with 14:39 to play.
 
The Cowboys trailed 48-40 when Garcia hit a 3 to cut the lead to 48-43 with 12:48 remaining, then he followed with two free throws along with Cherenfant who added two freebies to tie the game 48-48 with 11:09 remaining.
 
Garcia gave the Cowboys their first lead of the game with off a driving layup following an offensive rebound. McNeese scored the next seven points to go up 60-53 with four minutes to play.
 
The Cowboys outscored the Blue Raiders 32-14 the final 13:34 of the game.
 
McNeese made 38 percent of its shots for the game (22-58) but was nearly perfect at the free throw line, making 23 of 25 for 92 percent including 16 of 17 in the second half. The Cowboys made 5 of 19 for 26 percent from three-point range.
 
MTSU shot 42 percent (22-52) for the game, 10-22 (46 percent) from three-point range, and was 8 of 14 for 57 percent from the free throw line.
 
Next up, the Cowboys will start Southland Conference play on December 1 when they visit UIW.