It was far from a perfect performance but it is one the Cowgirls can build on.

After opening a four-game homestand with a 74-65 win over Nicholls State on Thursday, the McNeese State women’s basketball team looks to extend its winning streak.

The Cowgirls (7-10, 2-2 Southland Conference) go for a third consecutive victory when they host last-place New Orleans at 1 p.m. today. They haven’t won three consecutive games since winning a stretch of four last season from Jan. 2-20.

“We have to try and take advantage of these games at home,” said Cowgirls head coach Lynn Kennedy. “I like this team and where we are headed. We just have to keep going.”

McNeese is looking to use the next eight days to get back into the SLC race. Southeastern Louisiana (8-6) leads the league at 4-0 and will be in Lake Charles on Thursday.

New Orleans (1-10, 0-4) has lost its last eight games. However, the Privateers have won nine of the last 10 meetings, including the last game, a 64-53 decision on Feb. 20, 2021 in Lake Charles.

“We have to take care of the next game and then worry about the next week after that,” Kennedy said.

The Cowgirls got a boost from Desirae Han-sen, who hit for 14 points on Thursday. She leads the team in scoring at 10.1 points a game.

Sophomore Zuzanna Kulinska finished with a career-high 18 points and checks in at 9.8 ppg. Freshman Kaili Chamberlin averages right at 10.

“I think our shooting and our offense will get better the more we play in our gym,” Kennedy said. “We just have to stay confident and keep shooting.”

McNeese leads the conference in scoring and is the lone team averaging more than 70 points a game. But it is the improvement on the defense that has led to the Cowgirls’ surge, Kennedy said.

“We have to stay aggressive,” he said. “(The Privateers) are a very athletic team and try to get to the basket. We will have to keep them out of the paint.”

UNO is led by DeArica Pryor (11.2 ppg). Kennedy said he expects the Privateers will press McNeese, which had trouble with that Thursday against Nicholls.

“They are going to press us and we have to handle it better,” he said. “We have to settle down and take care of the ball.”