Jan. 21, 2009

Final Stats

CONWAY, Ark. - Nicholls entered the locker room trailing by 24 points, 45-21, at halftime, but came within six in the second half before Central Arkansas pulled away to get the 76-64 victory in the Farris Center on Wednesday night.

The Colonels trailed by as many as 30 points (51-21 with 17:52 left in the second half) due to turnovers, but put together a 36-12 run from that moment on to come within six, 63-57, with 4:46 left in regulation. Of the 38 points scored in the run, true freshman Jasmine Hoskins contributed 13, including a stretch of five consecutive from the free throw line.

Hoskins finished with a game best and a career-high 17 points, all of which came in the second half. Senior Dominique Washington and true freshman Nadia Cox joined Hoskins in double-figures as Washington had 12 and Cox checked out with 11. As a team in the second half, Nicholls shot a season best 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from field goal range.

However, over the last 4:30 of the game, Central Arkansas closed the door on Nicholls as they outscored the Colonels 13-7 to get the 76-64 victory.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't get the win, but I can not say enough about their effort out there tonight. They could have given up at halftime, but they choose to play hard," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance.

In the first half, Nicholls scored first, and after both teams traded buckets for the first two minutes until Central Arkansas went on a 10-0 run to give the Sugar Bears a 17-5 lead with 12:48 left. UCA continued on its tear, building its lead to as many as 28 points, 45-17, within the final minute of the half.

Leading all scorers at the midway point was UCA's Chorcelle Taylor with nine, while leading the Colonels was senior Christie Bryant with six points.

UCA's Taylor led them in points 15, as the Sugar Bears had three players in double-digits. As a team, the Sugar Bears shot 41.2 percent (28-of-68) from the floor, and out-rebounded the Colonels 44-to-37.

For the game, Nicholls shot 40 percent (22-of-55) from the floor, while Central Arkansas finished 41.2 percent (28-of-68) from field goal range.

Nicholls will resume action this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Stopher Gym against Northwestern State. Immediately following the contest will be the men's contest against the Demons.

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