HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team suffered a 76-66 loss against McNeese Tuesday evening in the University Center.
SLU (6-15, 3-9 SLC) fell short against conference rival McNeese (17-4, 10-2 SLC) to close out its two-game homestand in week 12 of Southland Conference play. Southeastern battled to stay within reach, but could not overcome as the Cowboys recorded 21 fast break points and 18 points off turnovers.
Three Lions finished in double-figures in an effort to compound their home court momentum led by sophomore forward Makhi Myles with 16 points and seven rebounds. Myles shot 3-7 from the field, 2-6 from the three-point line and 8-9 from the charity stripe while collecting three steals and two blocks against McNeese. Jeremy Elyzee ended the night with 12 points and four rebounds, finishing 3-4 from the field, 2-2 from behind the arc and 4-5 from the free throw line.
Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines closed out the contest with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals. The Radford transfer shot 2-4 from the field and 6-9 from the line while key reserves Jalen Forrest and Ethan Pickett chipped in eight points apiece.
McNeese was paced by Larry Johnson, leading all scorers with 20 points, shooting 6-10 from the field and 8-11 from the free throw line. Garwey Dual followed up with 14 points while Javohn Garcia (13 points) recorded four rebounds and three steals to cause problems for the green and gold. DJ Richards chipped in 10 points as the Cowboys finished 51.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from behind the arc and 72.4 percent from the line.
McNeese opened the contest with early energy, jumping out in front behind efficient shooting and fast-break opportunities. Southeastern worked to settle in defensively and went back and forth gaining a small lead, 11-8. The Cowboys countered to string together multiple scoring runs to build momentum in the opening half, 21-15. Despite timely baskets from Elyzee and Myles, McNeese closed the half with a 36-27 advantage, holding the Lions to 33.3 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes of the contest.
The Lions came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, trimming the deficit early in the second half as Myles attacked the basket and Forrest knocked down a timely three-pointer, 38-32. Southeastern continued to pressure defensively to stay within reach in the second half, but each Lions' run was answered by the Cowboys. The visitors leaned on their inside presence and free-throw shooting down the stretch to preserve the lead with 32 paint points.
Southeastern battled on the glass against McNeese as the rival held a 30-29 advantage.The Cowboys also held the edge with 33 bench points chipped in by key reserves. The Lions forced 12 turnovers and converted 13 fast-break points, but McNeese's efficiency inside while capitalizing on key opportunities in transition proved to be the difference.
SLU shot 38.5 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from the three-point line and 77.8 percent from the free throw line in an effort to try and force an upset against the Cowboys.
The Lions will look to bounce back with a two-game road stretch against Stephen F. Austin and Lamar. Southeastern will visit the Lumberjacks Saturday at 5 p.m. before facing Lamar Monday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in Beaumont, Texas. Both matchups will be streamed on ESPN+.
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
