McNeese State’s postseason road continues at afternoon with a visit to Elon University for a 1 p.m. game in the Women’s Basketball Invitational quarterfinals.

The Cowgirls (19-14) advanced thanks to an 82-70 win over Mercer on Thursday night. McNeese bussed from Macon, Ga., to Elon, N.C. with an overnight stop in South Carolina.

“The kids have made the best of the situation,” said Cowgirls coach Brooks Donald Williams. “We’re blessed to be playing this time of year. We wanted to be in this position, even with the quick turnaround.”

Senior point guard Caitlyn Baggett scored a career-high 38 points in the win over Mercer, going a perfect 17 of 17 from the free-throw line.

“Caitlyn played like a warrior. She played like she does not want the season to end,” Donald Williams said. “She played with grit and stepped up offensively. She was not going to let us lose. She was unstoppable and she knew it.”

Baggett will meet her match today in Elon point guard Ali Ford, who averages 15.9 points and 4.1 assists per game.

“They are a very good team, very similar to Oral Roberts in style,” Donald Williams said. “They have one of the best point guards we’ve played against all year. She can shoot the 3, she score in any fashion. She’s very crafty. Honestly, she’s comparable to Caitlyn.”

Elon (19-13) advanced to the quarterfinal with a 68-61 home win over Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday.

(Kirk Meche/Special to the American Press)