Opponent: Stephen F. Austin (14-6, 8-3 SLC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Nacogdoches, Texas (William R. Johnson Coliseum)
Watch: ESPN+


LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's basketball (16-4, 10-1 SLC) will enter one of its most important weeks of the season.  The Cowgirls will have an opportunity to add a little bit more distance in the conference standings when they will travel to two of the four teams below them.  

The Cowgirls continue to sit atop the league standings and will travel to Stephen F. Austin (14-6, 8-3 SLC), one of three teams tied for third place in the league on Thursday, Jan. 29 for a 6:30 p.m. game.  This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.  The game will stream on ESPN+.

McNeese will conclude its trip at second place Lamar (12-6, 9-2 SLC) with a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, Jan. 31.  McNeese defeated Lamar 65-57 in Lake Charles on Jan. 3 in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

The Cowgirls enter the weekend with the nation's best scoring defense (50.9) and best turnover margin (13.50).

 
McNEESE NOTES
• It's the first meeting of the season between the two teams.  The teams will meet again in Lake Charles on March 2 in the regular season finale.
• McNeese has lost the last eight games against SFA
• The last McNeese win in Nacogcodhes, Texas was a 74-57 win on Jan. 5, 2013.
• It's the fourth road game in the last five games for the Cowgirls.
• Lead the nation in scoring margin and scoring defense.
• Starting on Jan. 15, McNeese will end the month of January playing five of its six games on the road
• Remain atop the SLC standings with a 16-4 overall record and 10-1 in the SLC.
• For the first time in program history, the Cowgirls broke into the March Madness Mid-Major Poll on Monday, ranking 21st.
• The win over UNO Saturday, gave McNeese 10 conference wins, the first time McNeese has won 10 SLC games since 2016.
• Enter the game on a league best nine game winning streak that started at UIW on Dec. 29
• Have won 13 of last 15 games
• Coming off a 77-41 home win over UNO last Saturday.
• Enters the game leading the SLC in nine statistical categories (Assists/Turnover Ratio, field goal percent defense, scoring defense (lead the nation), scoring margin, steals per game, turnover margin (lead the nation), turnovers forced per game, turnovers per game, and winning percent.
• Enters the game ranked in the Top 25 in five NCAA statistical categories - 1st in turnover margin (13.50) and scoring defense (50.9), 3rd in turnovers per game (10.8), 6th in steals per game (14.8), and 9th in turnovers forced per game (24.25),
• The Cowgirls' NET ranking of 78 (Dec. 14, 2025), was the highest in program history.
• Freshman Dakota Howard continues to lead the team in scoring with 12.3 ppg. and steals with 50. She is second on the team with 5.4 rpg. and has scored in double figures in 10 out of last 12 games. She is averaging 14.5 ppg. in conference games.
• Lexi Alexander leads the Cowgirls in rebounds with 5.8 per game.
• Jalencia Pierre has a team high 66 assists (3.5 apg.) and is second on the team with 38 steals.  She leads the SLC and ranks 14th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (2.64).
• The Ayla Guzzardo era began with a 100-38 home win over Pensacola Christian College on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
• McNeese has 13 newcomers, which ranks tied for fourth most in the NCAA. Three other teams (Northern Arizona, Indiana State, UL-Monroe) all have 13 newcomers. Of the 13 newcomers, nine are D1 transfers which is tied for most in the NCAA this season.
• All 13 newcomers are Guzzardo's former Southeastern players and recruits 
• Guzzardo brought nine players from her 2024-25 Southeastern team and entire staff, including managers with her to McNeese.
• The 2025-26 roster consists of two-time Southland "Defensive Player of the Year" in Jalencia Pierre.
• Also on the team are two Southland "Freshmen of the Year"- Kaili Chamberlin (2022) and Lexi Alexander (2023).
 
SFA NOTES
• Enter the game 14-6 overall and 8-3 in the SLC
• Are tied for third place in the SLC standings with UTRGV and UIW
• Are 9-1 at home this season. Only home loss was an 87-85 loss to UTRGV on Dec. 15, 2025
• It's the first of four straight home games for the Ladyjacks
•  Coming off a 73-63 road loss at Lamar
• Hold a 54-13 record against McNeese
• Have won the last eight game against McNeese including the last five in Nacogdoches, Texsa
• Leads the SLC in free throw attempts and free throws made
• Have four players averaging in double figures (Harmanie Dominquez (13.6), Key Roseby (13.3), Myka Perry (12.9) and Kaylinn Kemp (12.3)
 
 UPCOMING GAMES
Jan. 29 at Stephen F. Austin (6 p.m.)*
Jan. 31 at Lamar (3 p.m.)*
Feb. 5 Houston Christian (6:30 p.m.)*
Feb. 7 Incarnate Word (1 p.m.)*
Feb. 12 at Northwestern State (6:30 p.m.)*
Feb. 14 at East Texas A&M (2:30 p.m.)
Feb. 19 UTRGV (6:30 p.m.)*
Feb. 21 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1 p.m.)*
Feb. 26 at Nicholls (6:30 p.m.)*
Feb. 28 at UNO (2 p.m.)*
Mar. 2 Stephen F. Austin (6:30 p.m.)*
 
Home Games in BOLD
*- Southland Conference Opener