Men’s Basketball
McNeese took on rival UL-Lafayette Nov. 14, and the Bayou Bandits defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns in an 88-62 victory in front of a sold-out crowd.
The stadium erupted in joy in response to the dominance of McNeese freshman Larry Johnson, who scored 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. This was Johnson’s second game of the season to score more than 20 points. Junior Tyshawn Archie joined Johnson in double-digit points with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Overall, the team scored 24 times out of the 45 attempts in field goal range (a 53.3% scoring percentage), 10 out of 21 attempts in 3-point shots (47.6% scoring percentage) and 30 out of 39 in free throws (76.9% scoring percentage). The team also gained 30 rebounds against UL.
The Bayou Bandits are ranked No. 22 in the Mid-Major Top 25 poll. Johnson is now 10th in individual scoring average across the nation with a 24.3-point average and leads the nation in free-throw shooting.
As a team, McNeese ranks second in scoring margin in the country, third in field goal percentage, fifth in fastbreak points, seventh in assists, eighth in field goal effectiveness, and ninth in turnovers forced. McNeese also ranks second in average points in the country, only behind former McNeese head coach Will Wade’s NC State.
With the win, McNeese moves to 3-1 on the season, and heads to the Cayman Islands for the 2025 Cayman Islands Classic where they will face George Washington on Nov. 23, Murry State Nov. 24, and Middle Tennessee State Nov. 25.
Women’s Basketball
McNeese scored a comeback victory over Tarleton State in a 49-47 game Sunday.
The Cowgirls were down 33-37 heading into the fourth quarter but made up the ground and put themselves in position to win. Tarleton regained the ball and with 11 seconds remaining, missed a 3-point shot.
Senior Jalencia Pierre led the team in scoring with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, followed by senior Lexi Alexander with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Overall, the team had a 34.4% shooting average within field goal range and a 12.5% 3-point shooting average. They scored 60% of their free throws.
The Cowgirls moved to 2-1 with the win. The Cowgirls will take on LSU-A at home Saturday. Their next destination will be to the Bahamas to take part in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship, taking on No. 23 ranked West Virginia Nov. 24 and either Ohio State or Belmont on Nov. 26.
