LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — McNeese State looks to continue its strong start and rebound from its first conference loss when it hosts struggling Northwestern State in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Friday night. The Cowboys (6-2, 0-1 Southland) fell 71-67 at Incarnate Word on Monday. Garwey Dual led McNeese with 18 points in that defeat. Prior to that, McNeese had won five straight, including notable non-conference victories over George Washington and Murray State. The Cowboys are 4-0 at Burton Coliseum this season, winning those games by an average of 40.5 points. Northwestern State (1-6, 0-0) arrives seeking its first win over a Division I opponent this season. The Demons are coming off a narrow 75-73 home loss to Southern on Saturday, led by 15 points from Micah Thomas. All six of Northwestern State’s losses have come on the road, where it has been defeated by an average margin of 18.8 points. Friday’s contest opens the conference schedule for the Demons. McNeese State holds a significant experience edge in early season play and will be heavily favored on its home floor against a Northwestern State team still searching for consistent footing.