In a game in which neither team attempted a free throw in the first half, McNeese State edged Nicholls State 60-56 Wednesday night in Southland Conference play.
The Cowboys (8-10, 4-2) got 12 points from Craig McFerrin and 11 apiece from Dontae Cannon and Jeremie Mitchell. But they had a decisive edge in field goal shooting and inside.
Down 31-28 at halftime, Nicholls State (5-14, 1-6) hit 12 of 13 foul shots after intermission while the Cowboys (8-10, 4-2) were 7 for 12 at the stripe. McNeese State outshot Nicholls State - which got 16 points from Trevon Lewis - from the field.
The Cowboys made 24 of 58 field goal attempts, 5 of 16 3-pointers. Nicholls State was just 19 for 57 from the floor while making 6 of 22 3's.
McNeese State had a 32-22 advantage on points in the paint, outrebounding Nicholls State 37-31.
