JENNINGS-- Sophomore Candace LaCombe scored a game high 24 points and senior Kiara Johnson and sophomore Ja'Niqua Kendrix recorded double-doubles in a 77-70 McNeese State Southland Conference victory over Texas State here Saturday at Jennings High School.  The victory snapped a three game losing streak against Texas State and is the first Cowgirl win over the Bobcats since the 2005-06 season.

Lacombe came out of her shooting slump as she canned 7 of 18 from the field including five three-pointers. LaCombe also made five of 10 free throws. Johnson recorded her fourth career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds while Kendrix recorded her second career double-double with a career high 12 points and tied her season high with 11 rebounds.

McNeese jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Bobcats would score their first points of the game. After Texas State took a quick two point lead with 9:20 left in the first half, McNeese retook the lead and held a 37-32 halftime lead.

Texas State would cut into the lead again and took another one point lead in the second half (44-43) before Kendrix put the Cowgirls up for good on a jumper with 14:33 left in the game.  McNeese would go on a 11-2 run to extend its lead to 54-44 with 10:59 left.  Texas State would cut the lead to single digits twice before the Cowgirls would hold its largest lead of the game of 14 points with 4:59 left. Every time Texas State would score, the Cowgirls would answer with a basket on their end. 

McNeese hasn't shot well from the free throw line this season but this is where the Cowgirls scored five of their last seven points of the game.  McNeese ended the game making 15 of 28 from the charity stripe while Texas State shot a dismal 9 of 19 from the free throw line.

McNeese (6-15, 2-6 SLC) will travel to Texas-Arlington Wednesday night then will return to Burton Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 13 for its annual "Pink Zone" game.