Moments after the McNeese State women’s basketball team was eliminated from the Southland Conference Tournament in March, you could hear somebody from inside the locker room ask, is anybody was ready to go to the mall?

Not long after, Athletic Director Heath Schroyer went shopping for a new coach. He found the one he wanted in Lynn Kennedy.

Things haven’t slowed down since for the program.

Kennedy reworked the roster, finding players from all over the globe. He will unveil his team Tuesday at Arkansas State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

With four returning letter-winners and 10 newcomers, the Cowgirls will look nothing like last year’s 6-16 team that suffered through a COVID-19 shutdown.

The program has not enjoyed a winning record in five seasons with a mark of 44-97, including 29-59 in SLC play, and ending last season with six consecutive losses.

“Nice to have a fresh start,” said junior Divine Tanks.

The forward was the lone McNeese player named to the all-SLC preseason squad, earning first-team honors. She averaged 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds a game last season.

“It’s exciting but it’s very competitive,” Tanks said. “Practices are tough, but it has been worth it.”

Kennedy, who turned around the program at Portland State before heading to Lake Charles, brings his best player with him. Desirae Hansen, a junior guard known for taking and making big shots, transferred from PSU to join Kennedy in rebuilding McNeese.

“It has exceeded my expectations,” Hansen said of the Cowgirls and the program. “I came here to win and that’s what everybody wants to do.”

Hansen averaged 31.5 minutes for the Vikings and contributed 12.6 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks. She also hit the winning shot to put Portland into the NCAA Tournament.

Now she helps bring hope to McNeese.

“Expectations are high for this team,” Kennedy said. “We are very, very deep and balanced. We are young but these players have performed at high levels.”

One thing Kennedy said he was excited about is the team’s shooting. He said he believes the Cowgirls will be able to score.

“Everybody will have the green light to shoot it,” Kennedy said. “We want to play fast and get up a lot of shots.”

That showed in Mc-Neese’s 93-40 exhibition victory over Dillard. Four Cowgirls scored in double figures with freshman transfer Cristina Gil leading the way with 19 points.

Freshmen Clara Rosini and Kaili Chamberlin each added 16 while sophomore Kyla Hamilton added 15, showing the balance the Cowgirls are counting on this winter.

“We have a lot of players who can score and shoot,” Kennedy said. “I like that because it will keep us fresh and I like to go fast.”