By Missy Grimes
3/12/2025
McN Press Conference | LU Press Conference
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Will Wade and the McNeese Cowboys are dancing again.
The top-seeded Cowboys defeated second-seeded Lamar in a rugged, physical battle by the score of 63-54 on Wednesday evening at the 2025 Jersey Mike’s Southland Basketball Championships presented by Explore Louisiana.
McNeese is the first repeat champion since Texas A&M-Corpus Christi accomplished the feat in 2022 and 2023. The Cowboys become the third straight number one seed to win the tournament title.
Quadir Copeland scored 18 points with three steals, while Javohn Garcia added 10 points, three steals, and two blocks. DJ Richards added 10 points and five rebounds.
The Cardinals were led by Alexis Marmolejos with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Andrew Holifield had 15 points and nine rebounds. Adam Hamilton scored 11 with eight boards and two blocks.
McNeese captured back-to-back tournament titles for the first time in school history.
Garcia was named MVP of the Southland Championships, while Copeland earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Marmolejos and Hamilton secured a spot on the all-tournament team for Lamar, while Micah Thomas of Northwestern State was named to the team.
COURTESY McNEESE ATHLETICS AND THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
