LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — McNeese State dominated Nicholls State 94-68 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at Burton Coliseum. The Cowboys, now 14-3, seized control with a 37-19 halftime lead. The Colonels improved after the break but never threatened the large deficit. Nicholls State fell to 8-9 with the loss. A crowd of 3,073 watched the Southland Conference contest. McNeese State easily covered the pregame spread as a heavy favorite, and the total score went over the projected line.

LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — The McNeese State Cowboys, one of the Southland Conference’s hottest teams, showcased their depth and offensive firepower in a commanding 94-68 victory over the Nicholls State Colonels on Monday night at Burton Coliseum. A crowd of 3,073 watched the Cowboys improve to 14-3 overall and remain a force in the league, while the Colonels fell to 8-9. The game was never in doubt after a dominant first-half performance by the home team, which built an 18-point halftime lead and never looked back. The most important part of the game was McNeese State’s immediate and sustained defensive pressure, which crippled the Nicholls State offense from the opening tip. The Colonels managed only 19 points in the first half, shooting a frigid percentage from the field while committing numerous turnovers that the Cowboys converted into easy transition opportunities. This early defensive stranglehold allowed McNeese State to build a 37-19 lead by the break, effectively deciding the contest before halftime. McNeese State’s attack was balanced and efficient. Larry Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard from Savannah, Georgia, led all scorers with 24 points, adding five rebounds. He was instrumental in the first-half surge, scoring from all three levels. DJ Richards of Houston provided a major spark off the bench, contributing 20 points in just 23 minutes, including several key three-pointers that stretched the lead. The Cowboys’ backcourt orchestrated the offense with precision. Tyshawn Archie dished out five assists to go with 13 points, while starter Garwey Dual filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five assists and two blocks. Jacolb Fredson-Cole added 11 points and three assists, and Javohn Garcia chipped in 12 points. The team’s ball movement and unselfish play were evident in their 22 assists on 34 made field goals. Nicholls State, which entered the game having won four of its last five, found no rhythm until the second half. The Colonels nearly doubled their first-half output after intermission, scoring 49 points, but the deficit was far too large to overcome. Christian Winborne led the Colonels with 17 points and five assists. Trae English added 11 points and five assists, and Zee Hamoda scored 11 points. Sincere Malone contributed seven points and a team-high nine rebounds in the loss. McNeese State shot a robust percentage from the field for the game, outperforming Nicholls State in every major shooting category. The Cowboys also won the battle on the glass and capitalized on 15 Colonel turnovers. The victory extends McNeese State’s strong start to conference play, while Nicholls State will look to regroup on its home floor in its next outing. UP NEXT Nicholls State: Hosts Lamar on Saturday. McNeese State: Visits Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday.

LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — A surging McNeese State looks to continue its dominant start to Southland Conference play when it hosts a resurgent Nicholls State team at Burton Coliseum on Monday night. The Cowboys (13-3, 3-0 Southland) have won seven of their last eight games, including a 73-61 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. Their conference wins have come by an average of 12 points, showcasing their status as the early league frontrunner. McNeese State’s defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 64.6 points during its current three-game win streak. Nicholls State (7-8, 3-0), however, arrives with matching league momentum. The Colonels have won five straight games, including a 74-72 nail-biter over Northwestern State last Monday. Their turnaround follows a challenging non-conference slate that included losses to power-conference opponent Creighton. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top guards. Nicholls State is led by Jaylen Searles, who has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games. Over his last six contests, Searles is averaging 17.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, including an 18-point performance in the win over Northwestern State. McNeese State counters with Tyshawn Archie, who provides efficient scoring off the bench. Archie poured in 16 points in just 17 minutes in a win over Stephen F. Austin last week and blocked four shots against Lamar. His athleticism will be crucial against the Colonels’ backcourt. The Cowboys have owned the recent series, winning the last four meetings. In their most recent matchup last February, McNeese State secured a 76-67 victory. For Nicholls State, containing the Cowboys’ balanced attack and finding scoring beyond Searles will be essential. Jalik Dunkley, who had 17 points in the last outing, is a primary secondary option. McNeese State will aim to leverage its home-court advantage and superior record to pressure the Colonels and force mistakes. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST Monday in Lake Charles.