THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will embark on its third season under the tutelage of head coach DoBee Plaisance when the squad hosts Southern University at New Orleans on Friday night in Stopher Gym. Game is set for 6:30 p.m.

“I don't know if I can express in words how excited I am to start the season. We have a lot of young talent mixed with some key returning players,” said Plaisance. “In our exhibition and scrimmages against someone other than ourselves, you could see that we had vastly improved in a lot of areas.”

The Colonels are coming off of a 4-24 season, but return five letter winners that includes preseason All-Southland First Team guard Ricshanda Bickham. Bickham ranked in the Top-10 in six of conference offensive categories, while also setting the school record for most steals in a season with 95.

Bickham, a New Orleans native, was also one of four players nationally to have 90-plus steals and assists last season. In her first action this season in an exhibition game versus Texas A&M-International, Bickham was three assists shy of a triple-double (22 points, 10 steals and seven assists) to start her senior campaign.

Also returning includes senior forward Cassie Hearon, junior forward Jasmine Hoskins, junior guard Portia Washington, and sophomore guard/forward Alisha Allen. Allen was second among all freshman in the Southland in scoring last season (13.7 ppg), and was dubbed with LSWA Freshman of the Year honors.

“The talent level is there to have a very special season,” said Plaisance. “We have set a lot of goals for the season, and we have been hard at work to make sure that we achieve those goals.”

Incoming freshman include guard Ashley Adams, guard KK Babin, guard Kya DeGarmo, forward Tory Hearn, forward LiAnn McCarthy, forward Shikera Ross and forward Sybil Washington. The Colonels also are welcoming one transfer: junior guard Sumar Leslie from Louisiana-Monroe. Leslie, an All-State player in high school, is a Houma native and prepped at Vandebilt Catholic.

Tip-off against SUNO is set for 6:30 p.m.

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