LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) — McNeese State used a balanced offensive attack to defeat Lamar 82-70 in a Southland Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at Burton Coliseum.

The Cowboys improved to 11-3 overall, while the Cardinals fell to 7-7. McNeese State led 39-34 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half before a crowd of 4,612.

Javohn Garcia led the Cowboys with 15 points. Lamar’s Andrew Holifield scored a game-high 21 points, and Rob Lee added 15 for the Cardinals. McNeese State shot efficiently from the field to secure the victory, which kept them atop the conference standings.