Sunday night at the Paradise Jam was dominated by a sensational performance from McNeese’s Sincere Parker, who led his team to a commanding 84-69 victory over Longwood in the semifinals. Parker, a junior for the Cowboys, delivered an incredible 31-point performance, just three points shy of his career-high, to propel McNeese past Longwood, a team that had previously competed in the NCAA Tournament.
Key Performers for Longwood
Although Longwood (6-1) couldn’t secure the win, the Lancers had some standout players who fought hard throughout the game. Emanuel Richards, Johan Nziemi, and Michael Christmas all reached double digits in scoring. Christmas, in particular, provided an early spark for the Lancers, hitting two 3-pointers early in the first half. His second three-pointer was especially significant, as it marked his 1,000th career collegiate point.
A Strong Start for Longwood
Longwood came out of the gate with confidence and shooting accuracy, building a 15-8 lead early in the first half. The Lancers found success from beyond the arc, hitting three of their first five attempts. Christmas played a pivotal role in the hot start, draining two early triples to give Longwood an early advantage. However, McNeese’s defense would soon change the course of the game.
McNeese Turns Up the Heat
McNeese quickly responded to Longwood’s strong start with an impressive defensive surge. The Cowboys ignited a 16-2 run over the next eight minutes, disrupting Longwood’s offensive flow and forcing 11 turnovers in the first half alone. The Cowboys capitalized on these turnovers, converting them into 18 points. Longwood managed to close the gap briefly with a three-pointer from Richards to make it 32-26, but McNeese finished the first half strong, taking a 37-28 lead into the locker room.
McNeese Vs. Longwood (image via Getty)Parker’s Dominance After the Break
The second half was all about Sincere Parker. After Michael Christmas opened the half with a three-pointer for Longwood, Parker took control of the game. Scoring 27 of his 31 points in the final 20 minutes, Parker shot an incredible 10-for-12 from the floor. His performance helped McNeese dominate the second half, as the Cowboys shot an outstanding 18-of-23 as a team, leaving Longwood unable to mount a serious comeback.
Additional Contributions from McNeese
In addition to Parker’s spectacular individual performance, McNeese received key contributions from Christian Shumate and Joe Charles. Both players added 12 points each, rounding out the Cowboys’ offensive attack and ensuring they maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half.
Coach’s Take
After the game, Longwood head coach Griff Aldrich acknowledged the team’s struggles but expressed pride in their fight during the second half. “While I’m really proud of the group competing in the latter part of the second half, we could not overcome the mental miscues. Tonight will be a valuable learning experience as it exposes some weak spots. While we never want to lose, we will learn from this game and be better for it in the future,” Aldrich said.
What’s Next?
Following the loss, Longwood will face the loser of the Liberty vs. Kansas State game in the third-place match of the Paradise Jam. The game is set for Monday at 5:30 p.m. (EST). Fans can stay updated on all the latest NCAA basketball action by visiting Etruesports, where the team provides in-depth sports coverage and insightful analysis.
Read also:- UNI Swim and Dive Prepares for Hawkeye Invitational
