The Cowgirls are willing to be gracious hosts this week off the floor but not while they are on it.

For the first time in school history, the McNeese State women will play host to a Multi-Team Event starting Thursday night inside the Legacy Center.

“It is great for our program and our fans,” said McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy. “They will get to see three different teams from other parts of the country they usually don’t get to watch.”

For years McNeese fans have complained about the teams that have come to Lake Charles to play, now they will get new opponents.

“Three completely different styles of teams coming in here,” said Kennedy. “It’s going to be tough competition that should help us.”

The three teams will play a round-robin style tournament over the next three days. McNeese (1-1) will open up against 0-2 Mississippi Valley State, which has played a pair of Power 5 teams to start their season.

MVSU lost to defending national champion LSU last weekend. Tipoff for the Cowgirls game is set for 7 p.m.

In the earlier contest, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (0-2) will play Louisiana-Monroe (1-1) at 4 p.m. McNeese will play Milwaukee on Friday and Monroe Saturday. Both are scheduled as the second game of the double-header.

“Getting to play three games in three days is a great opportunity for us to get ready for the conference tournament in March,” said Kennedy. “You get a chance to learn how to play back-to-back days and how to turn around fast.”

The Cowgirls will be looking to improve from their last game when Prairie View powered past them.

“I was disappointed with how we played Sunday,” said Kennedy. “That wasn’t the way we have been in practice. We did not come out with the fire we have shown.”

Coming off her first career double-double, Mireia Yespes is off to a fast start. The junior forward is one of three Cowgirls averaging in double figures, leading the team at 14 points a game.

“(Yespes) has really put in the work,” said Kennedy. “You can see her improvement. She has gotten her confidence and is being aggressive on offense.”

Yespes also leads the Cowgirls in rebounds at 7.5 an outing.

True freshman Azjah Reeves (12 points) and junior Christian Gil (10) are also scoring in double figures.

McNeese is looking to take better care of the basketball and find more of an inside presence this weekend. Prairie View exposed the Cowgirls inside, scoring 66 points in the paint against them.

The Cowgirls are also turning the ball over at an alarming rate, posting 22 of them in each of their first two games. They are forcing 21.5 a contest as well.

“We just need to keep improving and taking care of the basketball,” said Kennedy. “We also have to be better on defense inside.”

The event will give the McNeese program a chance to show off the facilities to new teams as well.

They just don’t want the others to have a good time at the Cowgirls’ expense.