Southeastern Louisiana beats McNeese State 80-77

HAMMOND, La. (AP) — DeShawn Patterson and Trent Hutchin each scored 21 points to lead Southeastern Louisiana to an 80-77 win over McNeese State on Wednesday night.

The Lions (8-7, 2-1 Southland Conference) trailed 27-23 with 5:24 left in the opening half, but finished the half on a 20-4 run to take a 43-31 halftime lead.

Southeastern Louisiana led by 27, 65-38, with 10:01 left, but a 34-10 run by the Cowboys (11-6, 3-1) pulled them to within three, 75-72, with 26 seconds to go.

Patrick Richard scored 14 points during the run, while C.J. Collins, who finished with 21 points, scored 12 over the same stretch. Richard finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Diego Kaplan added 19 points for McNeese State, which shot 82.4 percent from the free-throw line (14 of 17) in the second half to close the gap.

The Lions made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 25 seconds to seal the victory.