Garcia rescues Cowboys
Published 9:39 pm Monday, February 9, 2026
Javohn Garcia to the rescue.
The reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year is rounding into form after a tough physical stretch. Monday night, the Cowboys needed their main man to survive a scare.
Garcia scored 18 points, handed out four assists, and blocked two big shots as McNeese held off a scrappy Houston Christian squad 73-69 in Townsley Law Arena.
“Thank God we had Javohn Garcia back,” said McNeese head coach Bill Armstrong. “He is a warrior. Whatever we need, he does. He has looked like himself the last two games.”
The Cowboys didn’t look good despite the score Monday. With several chances to put the banged-up Huskies (8-17, 4-12) away, McNeese couldn’t, as they played out of control at key moments.
“Immature,” Armstrong called it. “Lack of focus. Outside of JG, there wasn’t much to get excited about.”
McNeese improved to 20-5, 13-3, and stayed two games behind Stephen F. Austin in the race for the SLC title. SFA held off East Texas A&M 74-70 Monday.
The 20 wins mark the first time in program history that McNeese has reached that mark three straight seasons. The Cowboys are 78-16 during that time.
The Cowboys also extended their home winning streak to 25 games overall and to 32nd at home against league opponents. Over the last three seasons, McNeese is 45-1 on its own floor.
“I wish I could be happier about that,” said Armstrong.
“We got a little bit too cute,” said Garcia. “Really, it was more about a lack of focus. We made too many costly turnovers.”
Despite leading by 10 in the second half, the Cowboys didn’t really look like they had control until Garcia converted a traditional 3-point play with three minutes remaining to put them up 69-62. Larry Johnson followed with a dunk with 2:22 left as the lead was finally secure at 71-62.
Johnson finished with 14 points, while Tyshawn Archie added 11 with five assists. Jacob Cole gave McNeese solid inside numbers with 10 points and four rebounds.
Demari Williams had 16 points while Ryan Bartley and D’Aundre Samuels each had 15 for the Huskies.
Still, something was missing after the Cowboys scored 10 straight points early and grabbed a 12-5 lead on Garcia’s breakaway dunk 3:28 into the game.
Every time McNeese looked to make a move, HCU responded, cutting the lead to 37-33 at the half.
“Give them credit, they came in here and fought,” said Armstrong. “That’s what we got to do.”
Garcia said the players have to figure things out fast.
“Definitely a wake-up call,” said Garcia. “We have to fight like every game is for a championship. This is the most important part of the season.”
