BREAKING: Cowboys defeat Wolverines, 87-76
Published 8:10 pm Friday, December 29, 2023
- (Leighton Chamblee / McNeese Athletics)
Hail to the Cowboys.
Sending shockwaves throughout college basketball, McNeese State completely dominated Michigan, winning for the first time in program history against a Big Ten team Friday night.
The Cowboys led for the final 33 minutes of the game inside Crisler Arena, knocking off the Wolverines 87-76 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The victory was the sixth straight for the Pokes, who improved to 11-2 under first-year head coach Will Wade. Michigan fell to 6-7.
Javohn Garcia’s three-pointer with 2:35 left ended all doubts as it gave McNeese a 78-65 lead.
Shahada Wells led all scorers, finishing with 30 points to lead the Pokes. It was the TCU transfer’s third 30-plus game this season.
DJ Richards added 15 points while Christian Shumate tossed in 14. Terrance Williams finished with 20 for the Wolverines.
Michigan’s only run in the second half ended on Richards’ three-pointer with 4:47 left that gave the Cowboys a 10-point lead.
McNeese started fast, jumping out to a 9-3 lead behind three quick Michigan turnovers. But the Wolverines recovered by hitting three straight three-point shots to take a 12-9 lead just under five into the game thanks to the 9-0 run.
Wells’ steal and layup tied the game at 17-17 seven minutes in despite Michigan hitting five of its first seven three-point attempts.
Cameron Jones put the Pokes up 20-17 with a traditional three-point play with 12:22 to go in the half. McNeese forced seven turnovers in the first seven minutes leading to nine points.
Richards hit three three-pointers in a row himself as McNeese took a 35-23 lead with 5:45 in the half. That’s when Michigan got hot and went on a 14-1 run, grabbing back the lead thanks to Te Williams’ three 37-36 with 1:25 left.
It was Michigan’s 10th three-pointer of the half in 19 tries. It was also the last the Wolverines would score in the half as McNeese ended with four straight points, the last two a basket from Omar Cooper just before the buzzer, to lead 40-37 at the break.
McNeese will open Southland Conference play when they play at Texas A&M-Commerce on Jan. 6 and then travel to Northwestern State two days later.
The Cowboys won’t return to the Legacy Center until they host Southeastern on Jan. 13.
