SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — Tyshawn Archie scored 18 points as McNeese State held off Rhode Island 66-64 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Ryan Center. The Cowboys, who improved to 8-2, forced 21 turnovers and recorded 15 steals to overcome a cold shooting night. Both teams shot under 40% from the field and were tied 37-37 at halftime. Jahmere Tripp led the Rams (7-4) with 16 points. Rhode Island shot 23 of 27 from the free-throw line but was outscored 15-5 in second-chance points. Attendance was 3,419.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — Tyshawn Archie’s pull-up jumper with one second remaining lifted McNeese State to a 66-64 victory over Rhode Island in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Ryan Center. The Cowboys, who never trailed in the second half but saw their lead evaporate in the final minutes, executed a final play to perfection after a chaotic sequence. Following a timeout with 16 seconds left and the score tied, McNeese State worked the clock down. Archie, a 6-foot-1 guard from Houston, Texas, received the ball near the top of the key, drove left, created space and sank the 18-footer to put the visitors ahead. Rhode Island called a timeout and advanced the ball, but Myles Corey’s driving layup attempt in traffic was blocked by Javohn Garcia as time expired, sealing the win for McNeese State. The dramatic finish capped a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles. McNeese State forced 21 Rhode Island turnovers, converting them into 15 steals, while committing only nine turnovers of their own. That 12-turnover disparity proved decisive in a tight, low-possession game where both teams shot under 40% from the field. The Cowboys improved to 8-2, while the Rams fell to 7-4 in front of a crowd of 3,419. Archie led all scorers with 18 points in just 24 minutes off the bench, including the game-winner. His back-to-back three-pointers late in the first half had helped McNeese State establish momentum. Jahmere Tripp paced Rhode Island with 16 points and two blocks, but his critical turnover with 32 seconds left and the game tied at 64 set the stage for Archie’s heroics. The game was a grind from the outset. Both teams finished the first half tied at 37, but offensive efficiency was scarce. McNeese State shot 40% for the game, making just 6 of 21 from three-point range. Rhode Island was more accurate at 46% but attempted 21 fewer shots, a direct result of their turnover woes and McNeese State’s 11-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Rams stayed close largely through superior free-throw shooting, making 23 of 27 attempts. McNeese State was 12 of 19 from the line. McNeese State built its largest lead at 49-41 with 12:54 remaining after a Garwey Dual dunk, fueled by its relentless defense. Rhode Island chipped away, finally drawing even at 64-64 on two Keeyan Itejere free throws with 15 seconds left. Itejere finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Larry Johnson added 12 points and nine rebounds for McNeese State, while Jacolb Fredson-Cole contributed nine points. Garcia had 13 points, four steals and the game-saving block. For Rhode Island, Corey scored 12 points and Jonah Hinton added eight, but Hinton’s seven turnovers underscored the Rams’ ball-handling issues. The team managed only five assists against its 21 giveaways. McNeese State, which entered as a slight pregame favorite, next hosts Texas A&M-Commerce on Friday. Rhode Island looks to rebound when it hosts Canisius next Tuesday.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — Two teams riding high early in the season will meet Tuesday night when the McNeese State Cowboys visit the Rhode Island Rams in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup at the Ryan Center. Both squads enter with identical 7-2 records, looking to build momentum before their respective conference schedules begin. The Cowboys, however, arrive with the hotter hand, having won six of their last seven games. Their most recent outing was a dominant 92-54 victory over Northwestern State last Friday. Rhode Island looks to bounce back from a 90-71 road loss to in-state rival Providence this past Saturday. A key matchup will feature two dynamic guards. McNeese State’s Larry Johnson has been a model of efficient scoring, averaging 14.1 points in just 19.1 minutes per game. He is coming off a 14-point, six-assist performance against Northwestern State and has scored in double figures in five of his last seven contests. For the Rams, Myles Corey provides a versatile threat. The guard is averaging 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He led Rhode Island with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss to Providence, demonstrating his all-around capability. His season high of 22 points came in a win at Vermont on Nov. 25. McNeese State’s success has been fueled by a potent offense, averaging 85.2 points per game. Alongside Johnson, contributors like Tyshawn Archie and Carl Cherenfant provide additional firepower. The Cowboys’ only losses are a narrow 71-67 defeat at Incarnate Word and their season-opener at Santa Clara. Rhode Island, under coach Archie Miller, has leaned on a more balanced attack and home-court advantage, where they are 4-1 this season. Following Corey, forwards Jonah Hinton and Jahmere Tripp have been consistent producers. The Rams will aim to tighten a defense that allowed 90 points to Providence. This contest marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. For McNeese State, it is a final major nonconference test before Southland Conference play. For Rhode Island, it is a chance to steady itself before Atlantic 10 competition begins next month. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Tuesday at the Ryan Center.