In desperate need of a fresh start, the Cowgirls will get that tonight.

The McNeese State women’s basketball team will open Southland Conference play looking for its first win against a Division I opponent.

The Cowgirls (4-9) will take on equally struggling Northwestern State (4-7) in Natchitoches. The Demons have one victory over a D-I program, that coming on Dec. 3 against Southern University.

“This is a fresh start for our team,” said McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy. “We have to look forward to the new year. I do see a lot of progress.”

The Cowgirls played three pre-conference games against top-15 teams. They were overmatched in those games, giving up 100 or more points in each.

They also gave up 103 points on New Year’s Eve in their most recent loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Those games have led to McNeese being last in the Southland in points allowed at 84 a game, tied for fifth most among the nation’s 348 D-I teams.

The Cowgirls do lead the conference in scoring at 71.4.

“You take some bumps and bruises when you play that type of schedule,” Kennedy said. “You have to bounce back. You have to learn from what you have done, learn as you go.”

McNeese has lost four of its last five and two in a row. The Cowgirls have been plagued by turnovers, committing an average of 22.3 a game, sixth most in the nation.

“We have been going through (turnovers) the entire season,” Kennedy said. “We have been getting better though.”

Junior transfer Emilia Tenbrock leads the conference in total points with 178 and is third in points per game at 13.5.

“She has been looking more and more for her shot of late and getting comfortable with the offense,” Kennedy said.

Freshman Boston Berry leads the conference in assists with 50, 3.8 a game. Another freshman, Azjah Reeves, tops the SLC in minutes played at 396.

Northwestern State’s Sharna Ayers tops the Southland in 3-point shots and attempts, hitting 28 of 84. She averages 10.8 points a game. The Demons are led in scoring by Jiselle Woodson (12.1).

“We have to stop the shooter and contain them on the drive,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said point guard Cristina Gil is expected to miss all of January with an ankle injury.