Feb. 13, 2010

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team led for the majority of the game, building a 10-point gap twice in the second half, but it was Southeastern La. who stayed persistent in edging the Colonels, 71-68, on Saturday afternoon in Stopher Gym.

The Colonels (4-19, 1-10 Southland) had four players in double-figures, shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the floor, and held its biggest halftime lead of the season - 36-27 - in the loss against Southeastern La.

The Lady Lions (10-13, 4-6 Southland) had three players score 10-plus in the win with Kelli Jenkins leading all scorers with 20. Southeastern La. also out-rebounded the Colonels, 35-to-29 in the game.

"It is unfortunate," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance. "We played very well, and did so with only seven players due to illness. I have to give it to our team; they gave it everything they could."

The difference in the game came from the free throw line with Southeastern La. making 18-of-23 free buckets, while Nicholls converted 12-of-13 from the charity stripe. Of Lady Lions' 23 attempts from the free throw in the line, 15 came in the second half.

The Colonels were only allotted four attempts from the charity stripe in the second stanza, making all four.

Nicholls led for the entire second half, and nursed an 8-point advantage - 62-56 - with under six minutes left in the game. However, the momentum turned in the final six minutes as the Lady Lions went on an 18-6 run to close out the game with the win.

Of the Lady Lions' 18 points in the final six minutes, 10 of them came by way of the free throw line.

Leading the Colonels in the loss was junior Ricshanda Bickham with 16 points. Bickham also had seven assists, five steals and five rebounds. Also scoring in double digits were junior Cassie Hearon and sophomore Jasmine Hoskins with 14 each, and true freshman Alisha Allen rounded it out with 12.

Nicholls will be back in action on Thursday at Texas State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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