HAMMOND, La. – In a tightly-contested game that featured 10 ties and seven lead changes, McNeese outlasted Southeastern Louisiana for an 86-83 overtime victory in Southland Conference women's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the University Center.
 
After falling behind by five midway through the overtime, McNeese (9-7, 4-1 Southland) closed the extra period on a 12-4 run. The overtime game was the first for the Lady Lions (3-14, 1-5 Southland) since a 78-71 loss at Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 5, 2015.
 
Southeastern was led in scoring by junior guard Taylin Underwood, who finished with a game-high 29 points. Underwood was one of three Lady Lions in double figures, along with freshman guard Charliee Dugas (15 points) and junior guard Bre Warren (10 points).
 
Freshman guard Tyler Morrison, playing in her first game since Nov. 16, led the Lady Lions with four assists. Senior forward Chey Stewart and freshman guard shared team-high honors with six rebounds each.
 
The Lady Lions continued their aggressiveness on defense, forcing 22 turnovers and were credited with three steals. Stewart and sophomore guard Ashailee Brailey shared team-high honors with three steals apiece.
 
McNeese was led by Victoria Rachal, who scored 25 points off the bench. Rachal was joined in double figures by teammates Caitlin Davis and Dede Sheppard, who added 18 and 16 points, respectively. Fredrica Haywood helped MSU to a 43-35 rebounding, pacing the team with a game-high 15 rebounds.
 
Southeastern led after each of the first three quarters, but McNeese opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 60-55 lead, holding SLU scoreless for the first 5:44 of the final quarter.
 
The Cowgirls maintained a four-point lead with 2:34 left in the contest. However, Warren connected on two three-point field goals to key a 10-4 Southeastern lead. A pair of free throws by Underwood gave SLU a 70-68 lead with 12 seconds left.
 
Sheppard answered with a driving bucket to tie the score with six seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds play, Underwood was fouled and hit one of two free throws to put Southeastern ahead by one. Sheppard drove the length of the floor and was fouled by Stewart with less than a second left. Sheppard hit one of two attempts from the charity stripe to send the game into overtime.
 
The Lady Lions opened up overtime with an 8-3 run, as a Warren steal and layup, a three-point play by Underwood and a trey by Underwood gave SLU a 79-74 lead with 2:53 left in the extra period.
 
McNeese answered with a 10-2 lead, as a Davis layup put the Cowgirls up, 84-81 with 17 seconds remaining. Underwood cut into the lead with a quick basket, but Sheppard iced the game with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
 
Southeastern will next head to Incarnate Word for a 5:30 p.m. game on Thursday in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the TuneIn Radio app.