The first game of the trip against the Utah Utes proved to be a tough challenge for the Cowgirls. They entered the court with high hopes but faced a fierce opponent. The Utes dominated from the start, scoring 24 points in the first quarter and never looking back. The Cowgirls fought valiantly, managing to score 9 points in the first quarter, but it was not enough to keep up with the Utes' pace. As the game progressed, the margin between the two teams widened, and the Cowgirls ultimately fell 118-50, suffering their first loss of the season.
Looking at the quarter-by-quarter breakdown, it was clear that the Utes had a strong offensive game plan. They scored 38 points in the second quarter, 37 points in the third quarter, and 19 points in the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and could only manage 18 points in the second quarter, 21 points in the third quarter, and 2 points in the fourth quarter.
Tuesday's game against BYU was a much more competitive affair. It was the first game during the 2024-25 season that saw a lead change, adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup. The first lead change came just 5:24 into the game when Mireia Yespes made a layup, putting the Cowgirls ahead 15-13. This was after Kyla Davis made two consecutive three-pointers to tie the game at 13, following a 13-7 deficit.
In the first quarter, McNeese had a biggest lead of five points, leading 20-15. However, BYU responded with a 7-1 run and took a 22-21 lead into the second quarter. The Cowgirls fought back in the second quarter and went up by as many as four points, leading 32-28 with 4:24 remaining. But once again, the Cougars used a strong run to close out the quarter, this time a 13-3 run, and took a 41-35 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Cougars held onto their lead and went on to win the game 85-64, giving McNeese their second loss of the season. Despite the loss, Kiayra Ellis was the game's highest scorer with 20 points, making five three-pointers on five attempts.
After their tough road trip, the McNeese Cowgirls are set to return home to Lake Charles and host Utah Tech. This will be another opportunity for them to showcase their skills and bounce back from their losses. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00, and fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown.
With their recent experiences in Utah, the Cowgirls will be looking to improve and come out stronger in their next game. They will need to learn from their mistakes and use the lessons learned to their advantage. Only time will tell how they will perform in their homecoming game, but one thing is for sure - the McNeese Cowgirls are a team to watch.
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