McNeese State Cowgirls Clinch Southland Conference Championship with a 60-53 Victory
Published February 19, 2026 | 9:45 PM
In a historic turn of events, the McNeese State Cowgirls have captured the Southland Conference championship—only the third in the program’s history and the first in the last 15 years. This pivotal moment occurred on Thursday night when the Cowgirls triumphed over Texas-Rio Grande Valley in a closely contested match, extending their impressive program-record winning streak to 16 games at the Townsley Law Arena.
A New Era Under Coach Guzzardo
Head Coach Ayla Guzzardo has made an immediate impact in her first season at the helm of the McNeese State women’s basketball team. Under her guidance, the Cowgirls achieved a remarkable season record of 23-4, finishing conference play with an outstanding 17-1 mark, which solidified their four-game lead over the second-place teams with four matches remaining.
Guzzardo expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance and her aspirations for the future: “We want more. We want it for our players, we want it for our coaches, and we want more for our fans. The program deserves this win,” she stated.
Star Player: Ty Sibley Shines Bright
Sophomore guard Ty Sibley emerged as the standout player of the game, delivering the best performance of her career. Despite having previously struggled with her three-point shooting, converting only 3 out of 17 attempts for the season, Sibley flourished in this critical matchup. She drained all four of her three-point attempts and finished the night with 26 points, with an astounding 23 points coming in the second half, including 15 points within just the third quarter.
Reflecting on her performance, Sibley revealed, “At halftime, we got chewed out, and I didn’t want to lose. I just locked in.” Her determination was palpable, and it invigorated her teammates as they pushed through the second half.
A Tough Battle Against the Vaqueros
The visiting team, the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, fell to 16-11 overall and 13-5 in conference play, marking their second consecutive loss. Vaqueros’ senior center Charlotte O’Keefe provided stiff competition, boasting 18 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. Guzzardo acknowledged her effort, saying, “Kudos to O’Keefe; she can play, but my players battled.”
While the Vaqueros managed to dominate the rebounding game in the first half, owning a 13-rebound advantage, they struggled to maintain that momentum, giving up the edge to the Cowgirls in the second half. Sibley emphasized the need for better box-out techniques: “We had to put a body on them. We had to focus and box out,” she said after leading her team with six rebounds.
Key Contributions and Team Strategy
The Cowgirls entered halftime with a narrow 25-24 lead, largely supported by guard Jalencia Pierre, who scored 12 of her 16 points during the second quarter. Pierre demonstrated her ability to drive towards the rim with tenacity: “I just tried to get downhill and get to the rim,” she remarked after the game.
A critical factor to McNeese’s victory was their performance at the free-throw line; they capitalized on every attempt, going 16-for-16. Coach Guzzardo credited these crucial free throws as game-changing, stating, “Free throws won this basketball game.”
As the teams entered the fourth quarter, the score stood at 46-45 in favor of McNeese. Following a brief lead change, Sibley quickly retaliated by scoring two consecutive jumpers, putting the game at 50-47. Despite a late attempt by RGV to close the score gap, Sibley and teammate Arianna Patton sealed the victory with pivotal free throws, wrapping up their championship aspirations.
Looking Ahead: More Challenges to Conquer
Despite this hard-earned victory and the conference title, Pierre stated, “This is just the start of the chase,” signifying that the Cowgirls are focused on future challenges ahead. The Cowgirls will look to claim the championship outright as they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Senior Day this Saturday at 1 PM.
For fans and players alike, this victory marks a significant milestone in the journey of McNeese State Women’s Basketball.
For more insights and updates on women’s basketball, check out Women’s Basketball News for the latest developments in college hoops.
Final Thoughts
The McNeese State Cowgirls’ victory over Texas-Rio Grande Valley not only clinches the Southland Conference title but symbolizes the dedication, teamwork, and resilience of the program. With a burgeoning legacy under Coach Guzzardo and players like Sibley and Pierre at the forefront, the future looks bright for the Cowgirls.
