HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Patrick Richard had 15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as McNeese State maintained its share of first place in the Southland Conference East Division with a 67-61 victory over Sam Houston State on Wednesday night.
The Cowboys (10-10, 6-2 Southland) won their third straight game and kept pace with Northwestern State, which also won Wednesday to stand at 6-2 in league play.
Jeremie Mitchell led McNeese State with 16 points, and Dontae Cannon added 12.
Marcus James and Demarcus Gatlin scored 16 points each for Sam Houston State (8-14, 2-6), and Konner Tucker added 10.
The Cowboys trailed 19-11 before closing the first half with a 30-11 run to go on top 41-30. Sam Houston got within 63-61 on two free throws by Gatlin with 2:30 to play, but Mitchell hit a jumper with 1:17 left and Richard added a pair of free throws with 28 seconds remaining.
