LAKE CHARLES, La. – Dontae Cannon scored 19 points and Desharick Guidry added 17 as McNeese State held off Southeastern Louisiana 65-58 Tuesday night to clinch a spot in the Southland Conference tournament.
The Cowboys (11-13, 5-9) led 40-30 with 14:50 remaining, but the Lions roared back with a 13-6 run capped by Todd Nelson's 3-pointer.
Southeastern Louisiana cut the deficit to three twice more, but could get no closer. After Jeffery Ricard's two free throws made it 57-54 with 3:04 left, Cannon scored four straight points.
Brandon Fortenberry hit two foul shots with 1:16 left to get within 61-58, but Keelan Garrett and Cannon answered with two free throws apiece.
Kevin Hardy added 14 points and Craig McFerrin grabbed 10 rebounds to help give McNeese State a 38-26 advantage on the boards.
Ricard's 17 points led the Lions (10-14, 8-6), who came in as winners of five of their last seven games.
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