McNeese State didn’t blink when the game tightened late. The Cowboys (27-5) outlasted UTRGV (18-13) 84-80 in overtime on March 11, 2026, turning a volatile second half into a four-point win that reinforced their ability to win outside of clean, comfortable scripts.
How it unfolded
The shape of the night was set early by McNeese State’s first-half control. The Cowboys carried a 31-23 edge in the second period, giving them the cushion they’d need once UTRGV’s offense found rhythm after the break.
UTRGV answered with its best push in the fourth, putting up 35 points in the period and forcing the game into overtime. McNeese State didn’t match the pace—scoring 27 in the fourth—but it did enough to extend the game and reset.
Overtime: McNeese State’s response
In the extra session, McNeese State won the possession game when it mattered, outscoring UTRGV 26-22 in overtime to close the door. The Cowboys generated just enough separation to avoid a final-possession coin flip and finish the job.
Turning points
Second-quarter separation
McNeese State’s 31-point second quarter was the cleanest stretch of the night and the difference between playing from ahead versus chasing. Against a UTRGV team that would later erupt offensively, that early margin mattered.
UTRGV’s fourth-quarter surge
UTRGV’s 35-point fourth quarter flipped the pressure back onto the home side and exposed how quickly the game could tilt when pace and shot-making rise. McNeese State’s ability to survive that wave—then regroup in overtime—was the defining trait of the win.
What it means going forward
For McNeese State, the result is another win that matches its current form (WWWWW) and keeps momentum intact, even if the path was messy. For UTRGV, the loss stings, but the late-game fight—especially the fourth-quarter production—shows the ceiling when its offense catches fire.
Final: McNeese State 84, UTRGV 80 (OT). Venue: TBD.