McNeese Cowboys Triumph in Southland Conference Championship
In a remarkable performance, Javohn Garcia achieved a personal best with 31 points, hitting five shots from beyond the arc, leading the McNeese Cowboys to a decisive 76-59 victory against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the Southland Conference Championship held on Wednesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This victory not only crowned McNeese as the tournament champions but also secured them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Historic Achievement
Boasting a season record of 28-5, McNeese has become the first team in a decade to win three consecutive Southland Tournament championships, previously accomplished by Stephen F. Austin between 2013 and 2016. Garcia showcased a phenomenal shooting performance, connecting on 11 of 18 attempts from the field and contributing five rebounds over 33 minutes of play. Remarkably, this performance came just a day after he had logged 48 minutes in a demanding triple-overtime clash against UT Rio Grande Valley.
Team Contributions
Supporting Garcia were teammates Larry Johnson and Tyshawn Archie, who tallied 18 and 17 points respectively. McNeese set the tone early in the game, taking a commanding 29-20 lead by capitalizing on Garcia’s shooting prowess. They maintained control throughout and led comfortably at halftime, 42-25.
Lumberjacks’ Struggles
For the Lumberjacks, who also finished the season at 28-5, conference player of the year Keon Thompson led the way with 18 points, while Kam Burton added 10 to the effort. However, Stephen F. Austin’s shooting struggles were evident as they managed only 37% from the field and a mere 24% from three-point range.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, McNeese’s tournament win marks the fifth time in its history that the school will compete in the NCAA Tournament, an anticipated moment for the program and its supporters.
