McNeese State beats Central Arkansas 85-77 behind Harvey

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) James Harvey made five 3-pointers and scored a season-high 31 points and McNeese State held off Central Arkansas 85-77 on Saturday to lock the No. 6 seed in next week's Southland Conference tournament.

Jamaya Burr scored 16 points and Jarren Greenwood added 15 for the Cowboys (9-19, 7-11), who led 46-36 at halftime after shooting 17 of 28 from the field (60.7 percent) before intermission.

McNeese State opened the second half with a 16-4 run capped by Harvey's 3-pointer and led 62-40.

The Bears cut the deficit to 77-73 on Jeff Lowery's layup with 38 seconds left. Jordan Howard's layup made it a three-point game, but Harvey made four free throws and the Cowboys led 83-77 with 10 seconds left. Harvey iced it with two free throws.

Justin Foreman scored 22 for Central Arkansas (7-21, 6-12). Howard had 17 and hit his 95th 3-pointer to break the school single-season record of 94 set by Rodney Dean in 1998-99.