Follow @HBUBasketball

Highlights | Photo Gallery  |  Buy Photos Here

HOUSTON – Sophomore Josh Ibarra turned in his fourth double-double of the season, registering 17 points and 10 rebounds, as the HBU men's basketball team improved to 2-0 in Southland Conference play with a 82-73 defeat of McNeese State on Tuesday night inside Sharp Gym.
 
Ibarra finished 8-for-11 from the floor and pulled down eight boards on the defensive end for the Huskies (7-7, 2-0 SLC). The native of Angelton, Texas, collected 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the first half alone to mark his ninth straight double-figure scoring performance.
 
Senior Anthony Odunsi led all with 22 points and four assists against the Cowboys (2-10, 0-2 SLC), while junior Alex Fountain turned in 10 points and a career-high eight rebounds in his first start of the season.
 
HBU shot 47.5 percent (29-61) from the field, 35.7 percent (5-14) from distance and 73.1 percent (19-26) at the line. The Huskies outscored McNeese 38-28 in the paint and 18-12 off the bench. Neither team attempted a free throw in the first half.
 
Both teams played a highly contested first half that saw the two swap the lead three times and pull even at three other points. The Cowboys scored the first four points of the game and led 11-9 at the 16:12 mark, before HBU took its first lead courtesy of a 10-0 run over the next 6:23.
 
Up 19-11, McNeese tied the game at 19-all behind two straight 3-pointers and a dunk, before sophomore Terry Harris quickly responded with a jumper and trey of his own to push the Huskies' lead back to five points.
 
The Cowboys made one more push before the break, using a 6-0 surge over a 54-second span to take their last lead of the game at 25-24, but HBU's Harris (jumper), senior Jourdan Stickler (3-pointer) and Odunsi (3-pointer) combined for eight points over the remaining 2:42 to enter the lockerrom up 32-25.
 
Ibarra (layup) and junior Reveal Chukwujekwu (jumper) opened the second half with two quick makes to give the Huskies their first double-digit advantage at 36-25. The lead built to as high as 12 points twice, before McNeese closed the gap with 11-0 run and continued to threaten with their ability to get to the line, eventually tying the game at 61-all. The Cowboys, who shot 18-for-22 at the stripe in the second half, hit their first 14 free throws of the stanza.
 
With 3:06 to go, Fountain connected from distance to put HBU on top for good, 64-61, as the Huskies outscored McNeese 21-12 down the stretch to improve to 6-0 inside Sharp Gym.
 
HBU will be back in action on Saturday, continuing its homestand with Southeastern Louisiana in a 7 p.m. tip.
 
Postgame Quotes – Head Coach Ron Cottrell
Opening comments…
"Any time you face a conference opponent, you're going to get their best shot. (McNeese State) came in here and played probably some of the best basketball they've played all season to this point. They are a tough matchup, because they have so much length and athleticism, and can create mismatches all over the floor, but we were up for the challenge.
 
"Our second unit definitely gave us a lift and got us going in the first half, especially defensively, in taking a seven-point lead into the break. Then it was reverse for us in the second half, as it was our starters who provided the spark when we put them back in with the game tied, so tonight really was a team effort."
 
On team's effort…
"We did a good job with the hustle plays. We got the 50-50 balls that you need to be successful. I am just so proud of our guys, their effort and the way they are playing together."
 
On Saturday's game with Southeastern Louisiana…
"We are so happy to get (Southeastern Louisiana) here in Sharp Gym. Our crowd makes this such a fun place to play basketball, but also a difficult one for our opponents. We need everybody to come out and help us defend our home court during this homestand, as Saturday we will face another tough challenge."
 
Junior Alex Fountain
On getting the start…
"I found out right before the pregame meal that I was going to get the start tonight. The coaches just told me to keep playing the same way I've been and make it like any other game. I tried to do that, but it was definitely a team effort tonight."