LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese women's basketball began Southland Conference action with a 71-45 win over East Texas A&M (3-5, 1-1 SLC) Friday night behind a career high 20 points from freshman
Dakota Howard. Howard scored six of the Cowgirls first nine points of the game and reached her previous career high of 14 points late in the first half.
McNeese (7-3, 1-0 SLC) also placed
Lexi Alexander and
Tyreona Sibley in double figures. Alexander ended the game with a double double (19 points, 11 rebounds) which is her second double double of the season and 24
th of her career. Sibley came off the bench to score 14 points.
Howard connected on 9 of 13 from the field and made both of her free throw attempts. Alexander was 9 of 15 from the field, made the only free throw she attempted and pulled down eight of her rebounds on the defensive end. Sibley was 5 of 8 from the field , made all four free throws attempted and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Cowgirls established the inside game early on by feeding the ball to both Howard and Alexander. McNeese ended the game with 44 points in the paint.
McNeese shot 42% from the field, 86% from the free throw line while causing 29 turnovers. On the other hand, McNeese turned the ball over only eight times which is the second least turnovers in a game this season. The Cowgirls, who lead the SLC and rank eighth in the nation in steals, ended the game with 21.
The Cowgirls will remain home to host Northwestern State on Monday, Dec. 15 in its final home game in 2025. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
1st QUARTER
• McNeese jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first minute and a half of the game five points coming off two steals
• Howard scored six of the Cowgirls first nine points of the game
• McNeese took a 12-point lead (17-5) on a layup by Alexander with 2:33 left in the quarter
McNeese 20, ETAM 15
2nd QUARTER
• McNeese outscored ETAM 6-2 in the first five minutes of the quarter to lead 26-17
•
Dakota Howard scored a new career high 16 points with 3:44 left in the half
HALFTIME: McNeese 36, ETAM 26
3rd QUARTER
• McNeese outscored ETAM 21-11 in the quarter and took its largest lead of the game (20 pts.) twice late in the quarter with the last coming from two free throws from
Tyreona Sibley with one second left in the quarter for a 57-37 lead.
McNeese 57, ETAM 37
4th QUARTER
• McNeese outscored ETAM 14-8 in the quarter and held a 24-point lead early in the quarter before going on to win the game by its largest lead of the game at 26 points
FINAL: McNeese 71, ETAM 45
McNEESE NOTES
• Three Cowgirls scored in double figure scoring (Howard, Alexander, Sibley)
•
Dakota Howard ended the game with a career high 20 points. Howard reached her previous career high of 16 points with 3:44 left in the first half.
•
Lexi Alexander recorded her second double double (17 pts., 10 reb.) of the season and 24
th of her career.
• McNeese shot 48% from the field and scored 23 of their 36 points off 16 ETAM turnovers
• McNeese scored 44 points in the paint and 35 off 29 ETAM turnovers
• The 21 steals are the third most this season
• The eight Cowgirl turnovers ties the second least this season
UPCOMING GAMES
Dec. 12 *East Texas A&M (5 p.m.)
Dec. 15 vs. NW State* (6:30 p.m.)
Dec. 29 at Incarnate Word* (6 p.m.)
Dec. 31 at Houston Christian* (2 p.m.)
Jan. 3 vs. Lamar* (1 p.m.)
Jan. 8 vs. Nicholls* (6:30 p.m.)
Jan. 10 vs. Southeastern* (1 p.m.)
SLC Game; Home game in
BOLD
