Jan. 12, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Junior Tiffany Jones had 11-points in the victory over Sam Houston State on Saturday afternoon in Stopher Gym, but her most important point came at the free throw line with eight seconds left to lift the Lady Colonels over the Bearkats, 81-80.

The Bearkats' Brittney Brooks nailed a long range three-ball with 20 seconds left to tie the game at 80 each, but a foul on a lay up by Jones put her at the charity strip with a chance for the win in the closing seconds. Although Jones was only successful on one of her two attempts, it proved to be enough to lift the Lady Colonels' to their first win of the season in conference play.

"We had our opportunities against SFA on Thursday, and I felt like we let them slip away. Today's win was a good win for our team, and puts us right where we want to be in conference," said head coach Mark Cook.

"This was the first of five in a row for us at home in conference play, and it was a good way to start off our home stand. I am proud of my team for the effort that they showed tonight."

Even though Jones hit what proved to be the game winner, the Lady Colonels would not have come back from a two-point, 39-37, halftime deficit if it was not for senior Katherine Plummer. Plummer score 23 of her 30 points in the second half, and was 10-of-15 from the floor while shooting 10-of-12 from the free throw line. True freshman Shelley West and Jones joined Plummer in double figures with 11 each, while senior Nikina Hill tallied 10 to close out Nicholls' 10-plus scorers.

The Bearkats (1-15, 0-3) out shot the Lady Colonels from field goal range and from three-point territory in the game, but their 56.9 percent (33-of-58) from the floor and 46.2 percent (6-of-13) mark from downtown was not enough to garner a victory.

Sam Houston State had three players score in double digits with bench player Whitney Smith leading the way with 22. Brooks had 19, which included a 3-for-6 showing from behind the arc, and Lydia Gonzales had 12 before leaving the game late in the second quarter with an injury.

The Lady Colonels will be back at home on Thursday Jan. 17 against Texas-Arlington (6-6, 1-0) at 6:30 p.m. GameTracker will be made available for fans to follow the game live statistically on the internet at www.geauxcolonels.com.