Nicholls State University

Sugar Bears Out Duel Colonels In Second Half

Jan. 20, 2010

THIBODAUX, La. - Junior guard Ricshanda Bickham poured in a career-high 30 points, however, it would not be enough as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell 61-54 to Central Arkansas in Stopher Gym on Wednesday night.

Joining Bickham in double figures was true freshman Alisha Allen with 10 points, while Meghan Herbert led Central Arkansas with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Of Herbert's 15 rebounds, 10 of them came on the offensive end.

Nakeia Guiden matched Herbert with 17 off the bench to round out the game's top scorers.

"We did a lot of things right tonight. The passion and effort was there, but we were unable to capitalize on the little things in the game that ultimately led to the loss," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance. "[UCA] got a lot of second chances at baskets in the second half, and we will work on correcting that in practice."

Nicholls (3-13, 0-4) held a 23-22 first half advantage, while both teams traded leads six times and tied another three. For the game, the lead changed 13 times and featured another eight ties. The Colonels started the game on a 5-0 run after a layup and a 3-pointer by Bickham.

Central Arkansas (12-5, 2-2) picked up steam in the second half, shooting 48.1 percent (13-of-27) and out-scoring Nicholls 39-31 to get the win. It was the Sugar Bears' second consecutive win.

Despite the Sugar Bears strong second half showing, the Colonels kept in close in the final period before Central Arkansas extended its lead to eight twice in the final three minutes courtesy of back-to-back old fashioned three-point plays. The dagger came courtesy of a Guiden driving layup that drew a Jasmine Hoskins foul to put Guiden at the free throw line.

Guiden made the subsequent basket from the charity stripe, giving the Sugar Bears a nine-point advantage - 61-52 - with 1:11 left in the game that the Colonels never overcame.

Nicholls will be back in action against in-state and conference foe Northwestern State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. in Natchitoches.

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