McNeese State routs Incarnate Word in SLC opener

Junior forward Quatarrius Wilson produced 20 points and 10 rebounds Thursday night for his third-straight double double, leading the McNeese State Cowboys to an easy victory over the University of the Incarnate Word, 85-62.

Playing at home in Lake Charles, La., the Cowboys (4-7) poured in 44 points in the first half and led by 18 at intermmission.

The Cardinals (5-6) retaliated with a run early in the second half, pulling to within 13 when freshman Christian Peevy completed a three-point play with 12:46 remaining.

But UIW couldn’t sustain the momentum and allowed McNeese to take charge again, hiking the spread to as many as 29 points down the stretch.

UIW will try to break out of a three-game losing streak when it plays the back end of a two-game SLC road trip Saturday afternoon at Nicholls State.

On a night when starters for the Cardinals struggled to score, Peevy scored 18 and Sam Burmeister added 10 to lead the bench. Starting forward Charles Brown III scored 11 but was held to 5 of 14 shooting.

Forward Simi Socks, the team’s leading scorer, did not make a field goal (0-for-3). He finished with two points.

McNeese’s defense held UIW to a season-low 32.3 percent shooting from the field. The Cardinals hit only 4 of 22 on 3-point attempts.