McNeese State dominated Southeastern Louisiana from the opening tip, riding a strong first-half performance to a 73-61 victory at Townsley Law Arena. The win marked the 17th of the season for McNeese, who improved to 17-4 on the year. Tyshawn Archie was the catalyst for the Cowboys, scoring 25 points and dishing out 6 assists to lead all players.
The first half was all McNeese, as they built a 40-27 lead behind Archie's 15 points. The Cowboys' guard was unstoppable, using his quickness and agility to get into the lane and finish at the rim. Southeastern Louisiana, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 32% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Kyle Edison was the lone bright spot for the Lions, scoring 7 points to keep his team within striking distance.
The second half saw Southeastern Louisiana make a push, outscoring McNeese 34-33 in the final 20 minutes. Edison continued to lead the way for the Lions, finishing with 13 points, while Makhi Myles added 11 points and 9 rebounds. However, it was too little, too late, as McNeese's first-half lead proved insurmountable. Javohn Garcia and Peitok Machar chipped in with 10 and 8 points, respectively, to help the Cowboys secure the win.
The victory was a Quad 4 win for McNeese, which may not carry significant weight in terms of their NCAA tournament resume. However, it does keep them on track for a strong season, and they want to build on this performance in their upcoming games. For Southeastern Louisiana, the loss was a Quad 1 game, which is a notable achievement given their 6-15 record. Despite the defeat, the Lions can take heart from their strong second-half showing, and they want to carry that momentum forward.
The win was a reflection of McNeese's depth and balance, as they were able to overcome a solid performance from Southeastern Louisiana's top players. Archie's 25 points were a season-high, and he continues to emerge as one of the top players in the conference. With the victory, McNeese State improves to 17-4 on the year, and they want to continue their strong play in their next game.
In terms of tournament implications, the win does little to enhance McNeese's resume, given the Quad 4 designation. However, it does keep them on track for a potential at-large bid, and they must continue to rack up wins to stay in the conversation. For Southeastern Louisiana, the loss is a setback, but they can still take pride in having played a strong game against a tough opponent. As the season wears on, both teams want to build on this performance and make a push for the postseason.