McNeese State holds off 2-win Central Arkansas 70-68

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) Kevin Hardy and Keelan Garrett scored 16 points apiece and McNeese State held off Central Arkansas 70-68 on Sunday.

Fifth-seeded McNeese State will play No. 8 seed Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday in the opening game of Southland Conference tournament.

Boo Milligan's 3-pointer with 1:46 left gave Central Arkansas a 66-63 lead. Jamaya Burr answered with a three-point play and his layup on McNeese State's next possession made it 68-66 with 1:04 left.

Central Arkansas, which didn't qualify for the league tournament, tied it up with 32 seconds left before Desharick Guidry made the game-winner with seven seconds left.

Thatch Unruh's long 3-pointer at the buzzer hit off the back rim.

Guidry and Burr finished with 12 points apiece and Austin Lewis added 11 for McNeese State (14-15, 8-10). Guidry and Lewis each had 10 rebounds as the Cowboys held a 46-32 advantage on the glass.

Jordan Howard led Central Arkansas (2-27, 2-16) with 15 points.