Next Game:
vs. Kansas State
11/25/2024 | 5:30 p.m. (EST)
Nov. 25 (Mon) / 5:30 p.m. (EST)
vs. Kansas State
History
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS – Sunday night was nothing short of spectacular, as Sincere Parker showcased an outstanding performance in the semifinals of the renowned Paradise Jam. The junior guard for McNeese State dominated the court, racking up an impressive 31 points—just three shy of his personal best—leading the Cowboys to a solid 84-69 victory over Longwood, both of whom had emerged from last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Emanuel Richards, Johan Nziemi, and Michael Christmas all contributed with double-digit scores for the Lancers (6-1), but they struggled against the relentless defense of McNeese (4-2), which effectively curtailed any offensive momentum Longwood attempted to build. Christmas made an explosive start for the Lancers, knocking down two three-pointers in the opening eight minutes, with his second trey marking a milestone as he reached the 1,000-point milestone in his collegiate career.
The early surge from the Lancers, complemented by a 3-5 shooting effort from beyond the arc, enabled them to establish a 15-8 lead.
In response, McNeese cranked up the defensive pressure, successfully stifling Longwood’s offensive flow and unleashing a formidable 16-2 run over the next eight minutes. The Cowboys capitalized on 11 turnovers by the Lancers, translating those mistakes into 18 points in the first half.
“A disappointing night for the Lancers,” lamented Longwood Head Coach Griff Aldrich. “While I’m really proud of the group competing in the latter part of the second half, we could not overcome the mental miscues. Tonight will be a valuable learning experience as it exposed some weak spots. While we never want to lose, we will learn from this game and be better for it in the future.”
Christmas managed to hit a jumper to momentarily halt the Cowboys’ surge, but by that point, McNeese had found its rhythm and extended its lead to double digits.
The Lancers made a valiant effort to trim the deficit late in the first half, with Richards sinking a three-pointer that pulled Longwood within six, making it 32-26. However, McNeese regained control to stretch the lead back to nine points by halftime, ending the period at 37-28.
Following halftime, Christmas furthered his own scoring tally by sinking a three-pointer—his third of the night—but from that moment on, it was Parker who stole the spotlight. He demonstrated remarkable versatility, scoring 27 of his 31 points in the final 20 minutes, effectively countering every challenge that Longwood attempted to mount. Parker’s offensive efficiency was stunning, as he shot an incredible 10-12 from the field after the break, while the Cowboys collectively shot 18-23 during the same stretch.
In addition to Parker’s heroics, Christian Shumate and Joe Charles each contributed 12 points, rounding out a strong team effort for McNeese.
With this loss, the Lancers now shift their focus to the third-place game, where they will square off against the loser of the matchup between Liberty and Kansas State on Monday at 5:30 p.m. (EST).
#GoWood #HorsePower
**What strategies will McNeese State use to defend against Kansas State’s offense?**
**Interview with McNeese State Basketball Coach about Upcoming Game Against Kansas State**
*Interviewer: Good evening, Coach. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Your team just had a significant win against Longwood in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam, with Sincere Parker putting up 31 points. What did you think about his performance?*
**Coach:** Thank you for having me! Sincere really stepped up and showed his ability to lead the team when we needed it most. His scoring was crucial, but it wasn’t just about the points; he was also a key facilitator on the court.
*Interviewer: Looking ahead, you have a challenging game against Kansas State scheduled for November 25. What are your thoughts on this matchup?*
**Coach:** Kansas State is a formidable opponent. They have a strong program and are always competitive. We’ll need to bring our A-game both offensively and defensively. Our recent defensive performance against Longwood gives me confidence, but Kansas State will definitely present a different challenge.
*Interviewer: You mentioned defense—your team was able to capitalize on Longwood’s turnovers effectively. Do you think that strategy will be crucial against Kansas State?*
**Coach:** Absolutely. For us to be successful, we need to maintain that defensive pressure. Turnovers can change the game, and if we can force Kansas State into mistakes, we might be able to turn those into scoring opportunities.
*Interviewer: After this win, how do you plan to keep the team focused for the upcoming game?*
**Coach:** It’s important to stay grounded and remember that every game is a new challenge. We’ll review the film from our performance against Longwood, highlight what worked, and also identify areas for improvement. That preparation will help keep the guys focused.
*Interviewer: It’s great to hear your insights, Coach. Best of luck against Kansas State! Any final words for the fans?*
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support from our fans. We’re excited for the challenge ahead and hope to see a strong turnout for the game on the 25th!
*Interviewer: Thank you for your time, Coach!*
This conversation not only highlights Sincere Parker’s impressive play but also sets the stage for the upcoming game against Kansas State, emphasizing the focus on defense and team preparation. The Cowboys are looking to build on their success as they face another tough opponent.
