Feb. 10, 2010

Final Stats

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Junior Ricshanda Bickham was an assist away from her first career double-double and true freshman Alisha Allen was a rebound shy of her second, but it would not be enough as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell 65-63 to Sam Houston State on Wednesday night in the Johnson Coliseum.

The Colonels (4-18, 1-9 Southland) trailed by four - 31-27 - after the first half, and went down by as many as 14 early on in the second stanza. The Bearkats (6-15, 3-6 Southland) went on a 10-0 run to start the final period, pitting Nicholls with tough odds at a comeback bid.

However, Nicholls slowly but surely climbed back from its 14-point deficit, bringing the contest to a one-possession game after junior Cassie Hearon connected on a three-ball with less than a minute left in regulation to make the score 64-61.

After Hearon's successful 3-pointer, the Colonels were forced to foul the rest of the way, and Sam Houston State got the one necessary free throw to make it a two-score game and stacking the odds higher against Nicholls. The Bearkats went on to win the contest, despite Nicholls having three players score in double figures and being out-rebounded 42-to-37.

Nicholls was led by Allen in the loss with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Bickham was right behind her with 18 points and nine assists. Hoskins was the only other Colonel in double figures with 10 points off the bench.

Brittany Brooks led all Sam Houston State scorers with 20 points, while Clarke Davis and Chanice Smith each had 10.

Nicholls will return home this Saturday to face Southeastern La. at 2 p.m. The contest will serve as the Colonels `Think Pink' game to help raise breast cancer awareness.

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