Jan. 24, 2009

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls put forth its best first half showing of the season on Saturday evening with 41 points, but Northwestern State pulled away in the second half to claim the 81-68 victory and the season series in Stopher Gym.

"I thought that we played well in the first half and kept the game within single digits for the majority of the second half, but we just failed to get shots to fall at key moments in the game," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance.

The Colonels (0-16, 0-5) entered the locker room at halftime trailing by six, 47-41, which is the closest they had been at the midway point than in any other of their previous contests. Nicholls used a strong showing from the floor in the first half, connecting on 53.1 percent (17-of-32) of their shots, to keep the Lady Demons (11-6, 2-1) within striking distance.

Nicholls' momentum carried over into the second half, as they pulled within four, 54-50, with 13:36 left to play; however, it was the closest that the Colonels would come, even though they kept the game within single digits until the five minute mark.

For the game, Nicholls shot 41.2 percent (28-of-68) from the floor, marking the second consecutive game the Colonels shot 40 percent or better. The Colonels also out-rebounded the Lady Demons, 45-to-38, and dominated the paint, outscoring Northwestern State 48-to-32.

The Lady Demons, who shot 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the floor for the game, made up for their lack of scoring in the paint by turning 30 Colonel turnovers into 31 points. Northwestern State's bench also out scored Nicholls' reserves, 34-to-23, to aid in the victory.

Leading all scorers in the game was senior Tiffany Jones, who put forth 20 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists in a full 40 minutes of action on the court. Also scoring 10-plus points for the Colonels were true freshmen Danielle Douglas and Nadia Cox with 10 each.

Senior Dominique Washington led all in rebounds with a game-best 11. The Demons had four players in double figures, and were led by Brooke Shepherd with 17.

The Colonels will return to action on Wednesday against McNeese State in Stopher Gym. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m., and it will be `Stuff Stopher Night' as the athletics department is attempting to break the all-time attendance record for a women's basketball game.

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