The learning process is not complete for McNeese, according to Cowgirls coach Brooks Donald Williams.

She said McNeese took a step backward in its 60-53 loss to Sam Houston State Thursday night.

“We played a little bit nonchalant defensively and I have no idea why,” she said. “We came out of the blocks that way and ended the game that way. It was a very passive defensive effort. Sam is very good. I thought we had very good practices leading up. I guess it’s our inconsistency and youth, but we’ve got to get better.”

The Bearkats shot 37.5 percent from the field, but outrebounded the Cowgirls by 15.

Today’s game at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi should certainly give McNeese (12-10, 7-4 Southland) a chance to work out any kinks. The Islanders (1-20, 0-10) have lost 11 straight.

Donald Williams said leading scorer Ashlyn Baggett has been hampered by a foot injury that has forced her to wear a walking boot, though it didn’t seem to slow her down in a 22-point effort against the Bearkats.

The coach said Baggett reaggravated a previous injury in Sunday’s win over Northwestern State. She said not having Baggett’s full participation in practice may have hurt the team as a whole.

“She’s handling herself well. She was extremely mentally tough,” Donald Williams said. “But for some of the younger ones it is distracting when something is different from the norm.”

Donald Williams said she expects the focus to be back against the Islanders.

“These are freshman and sophomores. They’ve been really good lately but had an off night,” she said. “I have no doubt they’re going to bounce back.”

(Special to the American Press)