LAKE CHARLES – Bill Armstrong's head coaching debut was one for the record book on Monday night when McNeese scored a Townsley Law Arena record with 127 points scored in a 127-65 win over Champion Christian in front of 2,587 fans.
 
In addition, freshman transfer guard Larry Johnson scored 30 points to set a new school record as the most points by a player in his McNeese debut. McNeese led 70-25 at the half, scoring the most points in the first half in school history and second-most points ever in either half (72 vs. Dallas Christian in December of 2020).
 
Six Cowboys scored in double-figures led by Johnson's 30. Newcomer Tyshawn Archie added 16 points and five assists. Another transfer, Garwey Dual added 15 points, five assists, two steals, and two blocked shots. Returning three-point champion DJ Richards Jr. contributed with 13 points behind 3 of 5 shooting from long range. Newcomer Jacolb Fredson-Cole added 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals while reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year Javohn Garcia scored 10 points with three assists and three steals.
 
All 11 players that saw the court scored while only one player saw more than 23 minutes of action, that being Carl Cherenfant who finished with seven points and six rebounds.
 
McNeese shot 53 percent for the game from the field (46-87), hit 9 of 29 for 31 percent from three-point range, and connected on 26 of 33 at the free throw line for 79 percent.
 
The Cowboys out-rebounded Champion Christian 57-30 with 24 of those boards coming off the offensive glass.
 
Next up, McNeese will visit Santa Clara on Friday night at 9 p.m. Lake Charles time. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
Notebook:
• With his 30 points, Johnson becomes only the fifth freshman in school history to score 30 in a game and the first since 1997, joining Henry Ray, Joe Dumars, Kenny Jimerson and Demond Mallet.
• Johnson played just 17:45, averaging nearly two points a minute.
• With his three 3-point goals, DJ Richards Jr. has made 171 in his career for 7^th on the all-time school list and needing 28 more to move into 6^th.
• Javohn Garcia reached a milestone with his three steals to give him 100 in his McNeese career while his 10 points gives him 807 career points scored at McNeese and 1,135 in his overall career.
• McNeese scored 72 points in the paint, 39 points off turnovers, 34 fast-break, and 68 from the bench.
• The 87 field goal attempts were the most taken since putting up 83 against Champion Christian in November 2022.
• The 57 total rebounds are the most since pulling down 51 against CC in that 2022 game.
• McNeese is 34-1 in its last 35 games played in Townsley Law Arena.