Feb. 3, 2010

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - Junior Ricshanda Bickham put forth a career best 33 points, but it was not enough on Wednesday night in Stopher Gym as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell 75-69.

Nicholls (3-17, 0-8 Southland) trailed 43-27 at the midway point, but rallied strong in the second half, out-dueling Stephen F. Austin (11-8, 6-2 Southland) by 10 - 42-32 - in the second stanza.

The Colonels fought back from a 19-point deficit - 49-30 - early on in the second half to narrow the gap by five three times in the final five minutes of the game. However, the Lady Jacks never relinquished their lead, and went on to get the victory.

"We had the effort in the second half, and I was pleased with that, but we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball and getting offensive rebounds," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance.

The Colonels committed a total of 24 turnovers in the loss that led to 21 points for the Lady Jacks on the opposite end. Nicholls won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Stephen F. Austin 41-to-40, but the Lady Jacks held the advantage on the offensive glass, 17-to-15. The Lady Jacks also held the upper hand in the paint, scoring 30 points to the Colonels 18.

Bickham led all Colonel scorers with 33 points, and was the only Nicholls player to cross the 10-point mark. The New Orleans, La. native also posted a career best 6-of-11 shooting from three-point territory.

Stephen F. Austin had two players score in double digits with Tammara Marion leading the way with 20.

Nicholls will return to Stopher Gym on Saturday when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 2 p.m. The game will serve as a `Black-Out' in an effort to show support for the New Orleans Saints appearance in Super Bowl XLIV.

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