McNeese Cowgirls Beat Texas A&M-Kingsville 65-53
Avery Berry scored a career-high 20 points as McNeese opened its season with a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
The McNeese State Cowgirls beat Texas A&M-Kingsville 65-53 in a season opener for both teams. The game was the first under new head coach Ashton Feldhaus, played in front of a loud crowd.
Why it matters
The win gives the Cowgirls an early start under Feldhaus, who is taking over the program. Texas A&M-Kingsville outrebounded McNeese 40-34, a stat that will be worth watching as the season progresses.
Avery Berry scored 20 points with six assists and seven rebounds, while Valencia Fontenelle-Posson added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Texas A&M-Kingsville held a 40-34 rebounding edge despite McNeese's 30-26 advantage in the paint.
The players
Ashton Feldhaus
Feldhaus is the new head coach of the McNeese State women's basketball program, taking over the team for its first season under his leadership.
Avery Berry
Berry is a McNeese State guard who recorded a career-high 20 points in the opening win.
The details
McNeese went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter, powered by free throws and a 3-pointer from Carley Hamilton, who finished with 18 points. Zy Thompson did not play as he continues recovering from surgery.
Timeline
Season opener played November 3, 2026.
McNeese hosts Grambling State at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Season Trajectory
The opening win follows last year's program-record 29-win season, testing whether McNeese can sustain that level under new head coach Ashton Feldhaus. With Zy Thompson sidelined for at least another month, early depth and production from players like Berry will shape the team's standing in the conference.
Thursday's home game against Grambling State gives Lake Charles fans a chance to see the new lineup in person. Zy Thompson's absence means depth players will need to step up for the foreseeable future.
The takeaway
The season opener showed that the McNeese roster can win without its injured guard, but the rebounding deficit is an area to monitor as conference play begins.
What happens next
McNeese hosts Grambling State at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, the next home game in a stretch where three of its next four contests are at home.
Further reading
For more on the local team, see Basketball coverage of McNeese State in Lake Charles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lake Charles American Press.
