Starting fast once again, the Cowboys are making things look early in the Southland Conference.

McNeese raced out to a big lead for the third straight game and were never challenged as they took their show on the road Saturday afternoon.

The Cowboys used fast starts in both halves to knock off East Texas A&M 75-56 in Commerce, Texas.

The win was the Cowboys’ fourth straight overall and 14th consecutive in SLC play. Since last season, they have also won 23 of their last 24 against Southland competition.

McNeese improved to 3-0 in the league and 9-5 overall, maintaining a share of the Southland lead. ETAM fell to 2-12, 0-3.

“Good to win on the road, and we got off to a nice start, but we did not sustain our level of intensity the entire game,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “We have to maintain that, especially on the road.”

Staying hot, Javohn Garcia led McNeese with 24 points, just two off the career high he set against Southeastern last Monday. Garcia has scored at least 18 points in all three conference games and is averaging 22.7 in those contests.

Garcia hit 9 of 12 shots from the floor, including 2 of 4 3-point tires, and made all four of his free throws against the Lions. The senior also pulled down four rebounds and dished out four assists.

“I just play in our offense, and we have been sharing the ball well,” said Garcia. “I just make the reads against the defense and go from there.”

Garcia was one of four Cowboys to score in double figures. Joe Charles had a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Quadir Copeland added 13 points and six assists, while Sincere Parker came off the bench to score 14. 

Bryant Selebangue didn’t score, but he did pull down 10 rebounds as McNeese dominated in the paint. The Cowboys outscored the Lions 40-14 down low.

“We did a good job inside, and Joe got going,” said Wade. “He was very active. Garcia got us going early on offense, hitting some big shots to start the game.”

Garcia had eight quick points as McNeese jumped out to an 18-7 lead thanks to a 10-0 run. 

“We wanted to get in the first punch,” said Garcia. “That has been big for us lately.”

The lead grew until Garcia hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute left in the half for a 41-21 lead. Josh Taylor’s jumper for ETAM cut the lead to 41-23 at the break.

After Yusef Salih hit a three to start the second half, McNeese went on an 8-0 run to lead 51-26 with 15:45 left. That would be the Cowboys’ biggest lead of the game.

“We lost a little focus there and got sloppy with the basketball,” said Wade. “We have to clean that up quick.”

Behind Salih, who had 18 to lead the Lions, ETAM closed the game to 63-51 with 4:23 left. However, Charles’ 3-pointer from the left corner kicked off a quick 5-0 run that ended any comeback thoughts.

“We know on the road it is going to be tough,” said Garcia. “We have to play our best on both sides of the ball. That’s what we did.”

McNeese will try to do that again Monday night when they travel to Natchitoches to take on Northwestern State. That game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.

A Cowboy victory will even up the all-time series between the two at 19-19.m. The Demons are 9-5, 3-0 and coming off a 68-66 home win Saturday over Nicholls.

“They are a very improved basketball team from last year,” Wade said of the Demons. “It’s going to be a tough turnaround for us.”

The Demons know it may be the next game, but it is still a big one.

“We are not going to say we don’t notice the elephant in the room,” Northwestern State head coach said Rick Cabrera said. “Will Wade has put together a terrific basketball team over at McNeese. We still have to treat it like the next game.”