The Cowgirls will jump right into the Southland Conference fire Saturday when they host Southeastern to open league play.

McNeese State (5-6) and New Orleans are the only women’s basketball teams in the SLC that have yet to open conference action. 

Southeastern, the heavy preseason favorite, is 7-3 overall and began defending its regular season title with a 58-54 road victory over Nicholls Wednesday night.

“I think they are a much better team this year than last,” said McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy. “They are a really good team. They are composed and don’t panic.”

It will be a tough opener for the Cowgirls, with tipoff set for 1 p.m. in the Legacy Center.

“You have to play them sometime,” Kennedy said. “It is good that we get to have them at home.”

The Cowgirls, who won just six games last season, could match that total with an upset Saturday and, in the process, could send a message about their new-look team.

“It’s a tough challenge for us, but I think we are ready for it,” said Kennedy. “We will have to play our best game to win, but we are looking forward to it.”

Despite their struggles over the last two seasons, the Cowgirls have put on strong fights at home against the Lions. Last year, a missed layup led to an overtime loss, and the year before, a rebound shot at the buzzer spelled defeat.

“We have had to learn some tough lessons,” said Kennedy. “We have to be better in those big moments. We have to be able to step up and make the big play.”

The Cowgirls will get a boost from Paris Guillory, a product of Saint Louis Catholic High who will play her first game in Lake Charles since her prep days.

Guillory missed the first nine games of this season with a leg injury but has returned to lead McNeese in scoring in the last two games. Her 15 points in 30 minutes against Oklahoma State on Monday were a good sign that the sophomore was improving.

“I feel great,” said Guillory. “I am excited to play again in the Legacy Center, where I got to play a lot during high school, and in front of our fans.”

Guillory, the only Cowgirl averaging in double figures at 13.5 a game, has helped the shooting, making 5 of 11 3-pointers, second behind Kiayra Ellis’ 8-for-16.

“We have to shoot the ball better and take care of the ball better,” said Kennedy. “We can’t give up possessions against good teams.”

Southeastern also has just one player averaging in double figures: guard Alexius Horne. The senior is coming off an injury that kept her out of action last season. 

McNeese will try to clean up slow second-half starts. The Cowgirls have been outscored 207-183 in third quarters this season.

“A lot of things we have tried to adjust at halftime we have not done coming out for the third quarter,” said Kennedy.

McNeese hopes to change that as they begin league play.

“We are making the right steps and improving every game,” said Kennedy. “You don’t want to put too much emphasis on one game, but it is a big one.”