December 18, 2008

Special Reports
BigGoldNation.com

HATTIESBURG, Miss.(AP) - Jeremy Wise scored 19 of his 21 points from the free-throw line to lead Southern Miss to a 69-50 victory over McNeese State on Thursday night.

The Eagles (6-4) went on a 23-1 run in the first half, holding the Cowboys (5-4) without a field goal for more than 11 minutes to claim a 33-15 lead at halftime. Wise, who finished making all 19 of his free throw attempts, scored 11 points and Courtney Beasley added two 3-pointers during the spurt.

R.L. Horton scored 15 points and Beasley had 11 points and seven rebounds for Southern Miss. Cory Smith hit a jumper with 6:23 left in the second half to give the Eagles a 62-34 lead - their largest of the game.

John Pichon and Diego Kapelan each scored 11 points for McNeese State, which made 5 of its 9 foul shots (55.6 percent). Southern Miss was 24-of-29 from the line (82 percent).