STWF Sports | LAKE CHARLES, La.| Jan. 24, 2026 — Turnovers and second-chance opportunities proved decisive Saturday afternoon as the McNeese Cowboys leveraged relentless pressure and dominance on the offensive glass to pull away from the New Orleans Privateers in an 82–63 Southland Conference victory at Townsley Law Arena.
McNeese capitalized on 31 points off turnovers and 19 offensive rebounds, wearing down the Privateers over the final 20 minutes to improve to 9–2 in league play. While New Orleans battled to keep the game within reach for much of the afternoon, the Cowboys’ ability to extend possessions and convert mistakes into points ultimately created separation.
The Privateers showed resilience early in the second half and briefly threatened to shift momentum. A fast-break dunk by MJ Thomas with 13:33 remaining trimmed McNeese’s lead to 57–51, igniting hope of a road comeback. Instead, the Cowboys responded with authority, scoring 16 of the next 22 points over a nine-minute stretch to seize control and close the door.
That decisive run was emblematic of the game’s defining themes. McNeese consistently turned defensive pressure into offense, forcing hurried decisions and jumping passing lanes. The Cowboys’ activity on the glass further compounded the issue, as offensive rebounds extended possessions and limited New Orleans’ ability to generate stops.
The foundation for the win was laid in the first half, when McNeese’s defensive intensity created a steady stream of transition opportunities. The Privateers committed 12 turnovers before halftime, which the Cowboys converted into 21 points. A 13–3 McNeese run late in the first half stretched the margin to 41–28, threatening to turn the contest lopsided before intermission.
To their credit, the Privateers refused to fold. In the final 90 seconds of the opening half, New Orleans trimmed the deficit back to single digits. Coleton Benson knocked down a pair of free throws after a technical foul was assessed to McNeese head coach Bill Armstrong, and TJ Cope added four points during the closing stretch. That late push sent the teams into the locker room with McNeese holding a 42–34 advantage, keeping the Privateers within striking distance.
The opening minutes of the game suggested a competitive afternoon was in store. The lead changed hands four times early, with Benson setting the tone by burying two three-pointers in the first five minutes to give New Orleans an 11–9 edge. McNeese answered quickly, reclaiming the lead at the 14:05 mark and maintaining control for the remainder of the half.
Offensively, McNeese played with efficiency and balance. The Cowboys assisted on 18 of their 26 made field goals, repeatedly finding open shooters and cutters against New Orleans’ rotations. Larry Johnson led all scorers with 26 points, delivering timely baskets whenever the Privateers appeared poised to close the gap. Garwey Dual chipped in 14 points and five rebounds, while Tyshawn Archie added 10 points, giving McNeese multiple scoring options throughout the lineup.
New Orleans leaned heavily on Benson to stay competitive. The junior guard finished with 23 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, providing perimeter scoring and composure against McNeese’s pressure. Cope contributed 12 points, and Thomas added 11 points and eight rebounds, including the highlight dunk that briefly cut the margin to six in the second half.
Jakevion Buckley impacted the game in other areas, recording five assists and three steals, but the Privateers struggled to overcome the volume of extra possessions McNeese generated. Each offensive rebound and live-ball turnover tilted the balance further toward the home side.
As the final minutes unfolded, McNeese methodically managed the game, continuing to attack the paint and control the glass. The Cowboys’ physicality and discipline ensured that New Orleans never drew closer than six in the second half, sealing a convincing conference win.
For the Privateers, the loss underscored the thin margin for error on the road against top-tier Southland opponents. Despite strong individual performances and stretches of competitive play, turnovers and rebounding disparities proved too much to overcome. As conference play continues, New Orleans will look to clean up those areas while building on the scoring efficiency and fight it showed in hostile territory.
