McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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With twenty-two points and four as- sists, Cowboy senior Joe Dumars contributed to the 92-56 slaughter of the St. Thomas Fighting Celts. (Photo by G. Little) Prior to the February 21st North Texas State game, the parents of | senior players were honored for their contributions. and support of the team. Standing left to right are Mrs. Ophelia Duniars, Mr. and Mrs. James Wesley, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan McInnis, and Lori McInnis. (Photo by G. Edwards) Sinking more than half of the free throws attempted was senior Chris Hardin. Despite his low free throw average, Hardin pulled his weight in the rebound department with 8.4 re- bounds per game. (Photo by T. Mari- cle) | 126 Sports NN eee lL

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Ex-Cowboy fullback Buford Jordan, now with the New Orleans Break- ers, Signs an autograph for a young Cowboy hopeful. (Photo by T. Maricle) Far left: Freshman Tony Hunt of Cowboy Tony Whittington from Pineland, Texas (No. 24) is brought Baytown, Texas kicks for the extra down on the goal-line during play point following a Cowboy touch- against the Lamar Cardinals. down at the McNeese-USL game. (Photo by T. Maricle) Keith Ortego of Eunice, a wide re- ceiver, holds the ball. (Photo by G. Cowboy Head Coach John Little) McCann and offensive Line Coach Charles Vicknair watch the line dur- ing Opening moments of the Cow- boy-Southeastern game. (Photo by G. Little) Football is)

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With heroic efforts by the Cowboys, McNeese placed second in the Southland Conference by Domination The basketball team’s 1984- 85 season has to be consid- ered one of the best in the his- tory of the university. Not only did the team finish with an 18- 10 overall record, but it also won second in the Southland Conference, and featured one of the nation’s top seniors. ' Joe Dumars, considered by many to be the top guard in the nation, was the squad's Pacesetter. He was capably Supported by other players such as seniors Chris Hardin and Guy Mclinnis, juniors Gi- rard Harmon and Kenny Jimer- son, and sophomores Jerome Batiste and George Kearse. The entire complement of players included senior John Wesley and freshmen Grant Westerchil, Quinten Cotton, El- roi Simon, James Cain and Jody Frey. From an inauspicious start — with both Dumars and Ba- tiste sidelined with broken Dones — the Cowboys went on to be one of the most win- ning teams in the South over the last two months of play. Beginning in January — with both Dumars and Batiste healthy once again — the Cowboys won 15 of their last 20 games, climaxing the sea- son by competing as the sec- ond-place team in the South- land Conference tournament. Guy Mclinnis, a senior accounting major from Chalmette, unloads one from the wing. McInnis’ game high, 14 points, came against the Eagles of North Texas State. (Photo by G. Little) Even more impressive was the fact that with both Dumars and Batiste in the starting line up, the Cowboys were 13-4 for the year. During the course of the season several firsts came the Cowboy’s way; and but for a layup here, a rebound there, McNeese might be enjoying time in the SLC trophy-room right now. The Cowboys finished only two games in back of league champion Louisiana Tech. Two of McNeese's three league losses came at the hands of the Bulldogs — the title clinched on a last-second tip-in by the Bulldogs in a 59- 58 victory in Ruston. The regular season found the Cowboys sweeping series from such staunch rivals as La- mar and SW Louisiana, and at two different times putting to- gether five-game winning streaks. Also, of the ten losses McNeese absorbed, five came at the hands of teams that competed in the NCAA tourna- ment and four were to oppo- nents in the final Associated Press Top Twenty Poll. Because Dumars and Ba- tiste were both sidelined with broken bones for the Nov. 27 season opener, the year’s start was suspect at best. The result was an 18 point loss to Southern Mississippi. Dumars made it back for the next game and began to take charge, but in the month of De- cember, McNeese’s record read three victories and five losses. In January, the Cowboys be- gan to pick up steam. The six- foot nine-inch Batiste was still sidelined but Hardin, Kearse, Jimerson and Mcinnis began to pick up the slack. The team went on a five- game winning streak, and continued Basketball 127