LAKE CHARLES, LA – Second half push couldn't get HBU close enough as the McNeese Cowgirls claim the 73-55 victory in Lake Charles on Monday night.  

HBU (7-8,3-5 SLC) struggled in the first part of the game down 18-6 after the first. Although forcing six turnovers, McNeese (6-10,6-3 SLC) outrebound the Huskies 14 to 7. The Huskies pushed in the second but were outscored by 10 and McNeese was still able to outrebound the Huskies 14 to 7 again, putting the Cowgirls up 40-18 going into halftime.  

HBU surged through the third after a heavy performance from N'Denasija Collins and Marilyn Nzoiwu holding the Cowgirls to just seven points putting the Huskies down by 14 going in the final period. With a layup by Patience Idoko three minutes into the fourth, HBU closed in trailing by nine. With four Cowgirls going to the line in the remaining minute forty-five, Annabel Deerbon placed a layup that wasn't enough and McNeese was able to seal the 18-point lead in a victory.  

HBU went 29.7 percent from the field, 60 percent from the line, and totaled 37 boards, led by Collins with 12 points and nine rebounds. Timia Jefferson went for another double-digit game scoring 11 points and chipping in seven steals on the night. Kennedy Wilson had 10 points contributed while Deerbon added seven points and Idoko added six with her five rebounds. The bench had 25 points on the game and the Huskies had 13 points from turnovers.  

McNeese was led by Lizzy Ratcliff with 17 points and added six rebounds. Le'Shenae Stubblefield followed close behind with 16 points. Three more Cowgirls were in double figures while Divine Tanks and Shaela Gardner led with nine rebounds each. The team shot 42.9 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line. McNeese outrebound the Huskies with 51 and only had 19 points from the bench. 

The Huskies will travel to Thibodaux to face off with the Nicholls Colonels for their second of three games this week with tip-off set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24.