Cowgirls cut down SFA

Published 9:07 pm Monday, March 2, 2026

Patton, Howard have record nights

It took 51 weeks, but Ayla Guzzardo finally got to cut down the nets inside Townsley Law Arena.

Almost a full year after losing the Southland Conference title game to Stephen F. Austin while at Southeastern, Guzzardo and her new team dressed in McNeese colors earned their payback…plus some.

With nine players from that Southeastern team with her, Guzzardo’s Cowgirls routed the Lady Jacks Monday night 87-60. After the game, the Cowgirls, who had wrapped up the regular season title 10 days earlier, celebrated by cutting down those nets in front of their rivals.

In doing so, McNeese sent a clear message: they fully intend to be cutting down more nets next week when the Cowgirls host the SLC Tournament as the clear favorite and top seed.

“It feels a lot better than last year,” said Guzzardo. “I have been waiting for a game like this. We came out firing on all cylinders.

“Maybe we sent a little message, but it was important that we scored 87 points to show our offense.”

The Cowgirls ended the regular season 27-4, setting the record for most wins in a season in program history. They are 21-1 in Southland play and have won a record 21 straight. 

“We wanted to beat them really bad for what happened last year,” said Arianna Patton, who hit a McNeese record 10 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 30 points.

“I guess I have been holding it in for the last game,” said Patton. “If I’m hot, I am letting it fly.”

SFA fell to 22-9, 16-6, and out of second place and the coveted double bye next week. McNeese rolled to its third SLC title, the first since 2011. Lamar will be the two seed.

All five starters finished in double figures for McNeese, including Dakota Howard, who also had a career-high with 24 points and five rebounds. Lexi Alexander, Jalencia Pierre, and Ty Sibley all added 10. But it was Patton who led the way.

Patton finished going 10-for-12 from long range, scoring 15 points in the third quarter and 21 in the second half. 

McNeese used a 24-3 run over the first and second quarters to grab a 38-19 halftime lead. 

“I think hitting those shots at the end of the half really opened things up for us inside,” said Patton. “We were really playing together.”

McNeese’s defense forced 23 turnovers and scored 30 points off those Lady Jack miscues. The Cowgirls had 26 assists on their 32 made field goals. 

“We shared the basketball and maybe played our best game of the season,” said Guzzardo. “We have to be ready for the tournament next week.”

Patton hit a trio of treys in the final three minutes of the third quarter to put the Cowgirls up 67-41 entering the fourth. 

From there, it was just a matter of counting down the clock and cutting down those nets.