Jan. 7, 2006
Contact: Kyle Stephens (210) 458-4907
McNeese State rallies for 78-74 victory
Box Score
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Senior Andre Owens matched his career high with
28 points, but McNeese State rallied for a 78-74 victory over the UTSA
men’s basketball team Saturday night at Burton Coliseum.
With the win, the Cowboys improve to 7-6 overall and 2-0 in the
Southland Conference. The Roadruners fall to 5-8 and 0-2.
Owens (right) was held to just seven points in the first half but exploded for 21 second-half points to match his career high set in December at New Mexico State. Sophomore Abe Donlon and junior Gabe Bernard also reached double figures with 16 and 10 points, respectively, as UTSA shot 54.7 percent from the field. Sophomore Roderick Rodgers pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and added four blocks and four steals.
John Ford led McNeese with 18 points, while Dwight Boatner and Al
Wardell contributed 15 and 10, respectively.
UTSA got off to a hot start, scoring the first nine points of the
game. McNeese finally got on the board as Quentin Gonzales drained a
pair of free throws at the 14:36 mark.
The Roadrunners held on to their lead until a 10-4 run by the Cowgirls
knotted the score at 24-all with 5:40 left in the half. McNeese
eventually took its first lead, 28-26, on a Ford layup and held UTSA
scoreless over the last 5:30 of the half for a 30-26 advantage at the
break.
UTSA broke the scoring drought quickly at the start of the second half
as Bernard (left) drained a pair of treys to pull within 33-32. A pair of Owens baskets and a 3-pointer from freshman Eric Young gave the Roadrunners a 41-37 lead just 3:56 into the second half.
The Roadrunners extended the advantage to 59-50 with 9:53 remaining on a Donlon layup, but McNeese began its comeback with a 17-8 run that cut the deficit to 67-64 with 4:07 left. Boatner then drained a three to knot the score at 67-all and a Ford jumper at the 2:33 mark gave the Cowboys the lead for good, 69-67.
UTSA had chances to force overtime but McNeese converted eight free
throws down the stretch to hold on for the 78-74 win.
The Roadrunners return home to host Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, Jan.
14, at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center