The struggling Cowboys hope to get right against the last-place team in the Southland Conference today.

McNeese State hosts Incarnate Word with hopes of a tournament bye all but over. The teams meet in the Cowboys’ home finale at 4 p.m. today.

The Cowboys (10-19, 4-8 SLC) having lost three straight and nine of 11.

“We have to find a way to play better and win a basketball game,” said McNeese head coach John Aiken. “We have not had good energy of late.”

Behind Christian Shumate’s career-high 29 points, the Cowboys won the first meeting 82-72 on Jan. 22 in San Antonio.

Charlie Yoder had 25 to lead the Cardinals.

However, McNeese has not shot the ball well of late, particularly from distance. The Cowboys have made 5 of 43 from behind the 3-point arc over the last two games.

“We have not been able to put the ball in the ocean,” Aiken said. “We have to find a way to make some baskets.”

A loss today would give McNeese its first 20-loss season since the 2018-19 campaign.

“We have to come in with some urgency and play better basketball,” Aiken said.

UIW (6-23, 2-10) is coming off an 82-72 loss Thursday night at Houston Baptist.