The Cowboys shot down the shooters.

Entering Thursday night’s Southland Conference game, Northwestern State was considered the league’s top gunners.

The Demons led the conference in 3-point shots a game, but it was McNeese State that was firing from long range … and hitting.

Using the long ball, McNeese toppled the Demons 92-77 in front of a season-high crowd of 3,304 inside the Legacy Center on Joe Dumars Day.

The win was the second in as many league outings for McNeese (5-10, 2-0 SLC). The Demons (8-7, 0-2) lost for a fifth consecutive time.

It also marked the Cowboys’ fourth straight victory in the series.

“We didn’t want to come out and make too much of the moment,” said McNeese head coach John Aiken. “I was really happy with the way we came out and played.”

Harwin Francois led the McNeese bombers with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. The Cowboys hit a season-best 15 3s to nine by the Demons.

“Joe Dumars’ spirit was with us tonight,” Francois said. “After I hit the first one I was going to let it fly all night.

“Coach challenged us, telling us they believed they were the better shooters. We came out letting it fly and showing them who is the better shooters.”

Christian Shumate finished with a double-double, scoring 15 and grabbing 13 rebounds. Zach Scott added 17 points while Jonathan Massie finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

“We got a lot of confidence going now,” Shumate said.

McNeese put the game away after the Demons made a run early in the second half. Isaac Haney’s two free throws cut what was once a 19-point Cowboys advantage to 65-58.

The Cowboys responded by going on a 14-0 run over the next 6 minutes. Jonathan Massie’s four points led the way as McNeese took a 79-58 lead with 5:46 left.

“Every time they battled back we stretched it out pretty quickly,” Aiken said. “Our guys sense the league shrinking and they put their feet back on the pedal.”

The Cowboys never looked back as Ty McMillian’s two thunderous dunks kept the Demons at bay.

It was a near-perfect half for McNeese as the Cowboys raced out to as much as 46-27 with 2:27 remaining. Francois led the way with 17 points.

The Cowboys started the game leading 16-6 behind Francois’ three 3-pointers. After Demarcas Sharp cut the lead to five with a layup, McNeese went on a 14-2 run as Francois, Scott and Roberts Berze (13 points) hit long-range jumpers.

That made the lead 30- 14 with 9:18 to go before the break.

“A great win, but we need to get better,” Aiken said.