McNeese State University senior John Pichon, a 2004 Slidell High graduate, recorded the school’s third ever triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in his team’s 84-75 victory over Wiley College in front of the home crowd Wednesday.

McNeese State University basketball was established 1946. Pichon (6-foot-6), a three-year starter at McNeese, said he thought he was close to the feat.

“I had a feeling I had a double-double,” Pichon said. “I knew I close to a triple-double because P.J. (Alawoya) was scoring a career high (32 points). I found out when they subbed me out with about 1:30 to go and they announced it over the loud speaker.”

Pictured is McNeese State University small forward and 2004 Slidell High graduate John Pichon pushing the ball up the floor in Wednesday'€™s game against Wiley College. In that contest, Pichon recorded the third triple-double in McNeese'€™s history with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. The basketball program was established in 1946. (Photo Courtesy of the McNeese Sports Information Department)

The victory put the Cowboys at 6-7 heading into yesterday’s game against Texas-San Antonio.

Pichon said he was excited about night, but added that it won’t stop him from trying to improve.

“When you work hard, you want to see results. The main thing is the win, but it feels good to be part of history. I’m not going to let this slow me down. I’m going to keep working hard and not dwell on my success,” Pichon said.

Pichon said players on his team had a big role in the triple-double.

“My teammates’ scoring is the reason I was able to get the assists. I know it’s an individual record, but without my teammates, I wouldn’t have gotten it,” Pichon said. “I think God is a big part and I thank him for my successes,” he said. “I also have very supportive family and friends.”

Former Slidell coach Rick Spring, who was coaching the Tigers while Pichon was with them, said Pichon was a hard worker and a leader.

“He was our best player on the court and in practice,” Spring said. “As a coaching staff, we didn’t have to do a whole lot of motivation. We just had to point to John and ask the kids to work as hard as John.”

Spring, who said the two have kept up with each other and talk about once a week, also said he realized that Pichon’s height in high school would lead him away from being a center in college.

“They’re aren’t a lot of 6-foot-5 centers in college, so we worked with him on his ball handling and shooting. He could have put the training regiment in the top drawer and not worked on them, but he worked on those things everyday,” Spring said.

Going into Saturday’s game, Pichon was averaging 10.7 points per game, while grabbing 6.7 rebounds. He had connected on 43.1 percent of his field goal attempts in his 13 games played, all of which were starts. Pichon said one of his goals is to play at the next level, either in the National Basketball Association or going overseas.

If you are interested in seeing Pichon play without making a long drive, McNeese will take on the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions on Jan. 21 in Hammond with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Pichon is majoring in health and human performance. He said he is scheduled to graduate in May and has attended summer school every year he’s been in college.

He is the son of John and Juana Pichon of Slidell.