Cowboys look to tame Lions
Published 10:09 pm Friday, January 9, 2026
Before the Cowboys can think about their showdown with first-place Nicholls Monday night, they must take care of Southeastern Saturday.
Having won their last five Southland Conference games and seven of nine overall, McNeese finds itself tied for second, just a game behind Nicholls at 12-3, 5-1.
They take on the Lions in Towsley Law Arena at 4 p.m. while riding a 20-game home winning streak. McNeese has also won 28 straight against Southland opponents in Lake Charles.
Over the last three years, McNeese has posted a 40-1 home record and is 45-3 against the Southland. However, Southeastern and Nicholls each have one of those victories.
That’s why the Cowboys say they will not be looking past the 5-10, 2-4 Lions.
“We don’t overlook anyone,” said McNeese head coach Bill Armstrong. “Our league is too tough.”
McNeese especially doesn’t want to lose a home game, as the league’s postseason tournament will once again take place on Joe Dumars Court.
“We know we have three losses the last three years, and Southeastern is one of those,” said Armstrong. “We can’t lose at home. We have no room for error.”
While the Cowboys play the Lions, Nicholls will be taking on New Orleans.
SELA has had a habit of playing tough against McNeese.
“We know they are going to come in hungry and get after us,” said Armstrong.
Despite their record and numbers, the Cowboys say they still have not reached their potential. After last Monday’s win over Stephen F. Austin, the players talked about better games to come.
“This is not who we are still,” said guard DJ Richards. “Once we figure it out, it is going to be a really, really, really long season for everyone else. We have to really double down and work together to make the other guy look good.”
Depth has been the key to the Cowboys, as they average 39.5 points per game off the bench, good for fifth in the country. Freshman Larry Johnson, who started the season off the bench, leads the team in scoring and is fourth in the conference at 16.7 despite playing over 100 minutes less than the rest of the leaders.
McNeese leads the conference in scoring at 85 points per outing. Javohn Garcia (12.1) and Tyshawn Archie (13.5) are the other two McNeese players in double figures.
Jeremy Elyzee leads the Lions in scoring at 11.7.
The Cowboys continue to move up in the ratings. This week, they are ranked as high as fourth in one mid-major poll.
They will try to avoid an upset Saturday in order to set up a first-place showdown on Monday.
