Photo courtesy of McNeese Athletics

The McNeese Cowgirls captured the Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Regular Season title Saturday for the first time since 2011, ending a decade and a half-long drought for the trophy. 

The Cowgirls took on and defeated Texas A&M – Corpus Christi 75-55 at Townsley Law Arena. The team ended the season with a 20-4 overall record, 18-1 in SLC play. The title is the third in program history. 

“Without being cocky, we knew what we were capable of doing,” said Cowgirls Head Coach Ayla Guzzardo. “The reason we came here is we have the facilities, we have the resources, we have the support and the buy-in.” 

Guzzardo is in her first year as McNeese’s head coach, having coached Southland rival Southeastern University in Hammond, Louisiana, to the No. 1 seed last year. McNeese struggled and failed to qualify for the SLC tournament.  

Moving across the state to coach a struggling program and transforming it  into a championship contender and a formidable Mid-Major school in a year is a feat not many coaches can boast. 

On Thursday, the Cowgirls extended their winning streak to 18 games after beating Nicholls State at home. The 69 –59 victory extends the Cowgirls’ record to 25-4 overall with a conference record of 19-1.  

The Cowgirls have just two games remaining, against New Orleans and Stephen F. Austin. Tournament play begins March 9 in the Townsley Law Arena.