It is hard to keep thinking Javohn Garcia plays under the radar. 

The McNeese swingman stepped into the spotlight at crunch time Saturday to help the Cowboys win a defensive struggle against Northwestern State.

Garcia scored 22 points as McNeese outfought the Demons 65-50 in front of 3,670 in the Legacy Center. Garcia also scored his 1,000th career point in the victory.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” said Garcia. “I never in my years of college thought I would score 1,000 points.”

Garcia moved from shooter to point guard over the final six minutes as the Cowboys held off Northwestern State and kept their 3-game lead in the Southland Conference race with seven to play. McNeese improved to 18-6 overall and 12-1 in the league.

With the win, McNeese became the first team to punch its ticket to the SLC postseason tourney, which the Cowboys will host in March. The Demons fell to 10-13, 7-6.

“A good win against a very good team,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “Our defense was really good, really solid.”

The Cowboys scored 50 points, the fewest they have scored this season, and this is the same as the 15 they allowed in the first half.

“We knew we had to come out and be aggressive because we knew they were going to come out tough against us,” said Garcia. “Coach always says we want to throw the first punch.”

Sincere Parker also stepped his game up, finishing 15 points, 13 in the second half. Parker, Garcia, and DJ Richards (12 points) keyed a rally after the Demons cut the lead to 45-41 with 6:31 remaining. 

Richards also reached a career milestone. His final 3-pointer on Saturday gave him 200 for his career. It also gives him 137 at McNeese, moving him into 12th place on the school’s all-time made 3-pointers list.

Parker had three 3-point plays down the stretch, two of them the traditional way, to move the lead to 60-47 with 2:31 left.

“I’m trying to get back on track,” Parker said. “I just do what the team needs me to do. Getting my rhythm back is still a work in progress.”

McNeese stopped any chance of a comeback by the Demons by making 12 of 13 free throws in the second half. They hit 17 of 21 for the game.

Parker was a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line, while Garcia made eight of nine. Most of the damage was done when Garcia moved to the point.

“We needed some guys who could open things up,” said Wade. “Garcia, Sincere, and DJ hit big shots.”

McNeese led just 25-15 after turning the ball over nine times. However, their defense forced 21 turnovers in the game, leading to 22 points.

“I thought our press was really active,” said Wade. “We also got three or four shot-clock violations early. It took them out of their offense.”

Micah Thomas led Northwestern State with 13 points.

McNeese has won 17 consecutive home games against Southland competition and is 28-1 overall in the Legacy Center over the last two years.

McNeese will return to action Monday night at home when they host East Texas A&M at 6 p.In the first meeting in Commerce, Texas, the Cowboys beat the Lions (3-21, 1-12) 75-56.