SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — Dakota Howard scored 20 points and Tyreona Sibley added 18 to lead McNeese State to a 74-53 victory over Incarnate Word in a women’s Southland Conference basketball game Monday night at McDermott Convocation Center.

The Cowgirls (8-4) broke open a close game with a decisive 28-point third quarter, turning a 28-19 halftime lead into a commanding 56-38 advantage. The Cardinals (4-6) were held to just eight points in the first quarter and never recovered.

Howard, a 5-foot-11 guard from Shreveport, Louisiana, reached her point total in just 20 minutes of play. Londyn Oliphant led Incarnate Word with 10 points. McNeese State visits Houston Christian on Wednesday, while Incarnate Word hosts Southeastern Louisiana.