McNeese Cowboys upset Clemson in NCAA Tournament

Photo courtesy of  Daniel Fritz, Used with Permission

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (March 30, 2025)  In a thrilling NCAA game, the No. 12 seed McNeese Cowboys stunned the No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers with a 69-67 victory, marking McNeese's first-ever win in NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament . ​

The Cowboys started strong, taking advantage of Clemson's in the first half; scoring only 13 points, their lowest in the many years. ​

McNeese's defense was relentless, causing Clemson to shoot just 5-of-24 from the field and commit 10 turnovers in the first half. ​

In the second half, Clemson attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap significantly. However, McNeese held firm, with key plays from Javohn Garcia and Christian Shumate. ​

Off the bench, Brandon Murray (shown above) led the Cowboys with 21 points, showcasing the team's depth and resilience.

This victory propels McNeese into the second round, where they will face the No. 4 seed Purdue Boilermakers, who recently secured a 75-63 win over High Point. ​