Feb. 6, 2010

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team had five players score in double figures and came from behind to take down second place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 61-58, on Saturday afternoon in Stopher Gym.

The game's theme was a `Black and Gold-Out' that encouraged all fans attending the game to wear their New Orleans Saints apparel in an effort to support the franchise's quest for the Super Bowl XLIV Championship.

"It was a total team effort out there today. We were undersized and did not have the athleticism [Texas A&M-Corpus Christi] had on the court, but everyone stepped up their game to get this win," said Head Coach DoBee Plaisance. "I'm so proud of our girls. The ball bounced our way today."

Leading Nicholls in the game was junior Ricshanda Bickham and sophomore Jasmine Hoskins with 12 points each. Bickham also contributed a game-best four assists, while Hoskins led the team in rebounds with eight.

The Colonels (4-17, 1-8 Southland) out-rebounded the Islanders (14-7, 6-2 Southland) in the contest 43-to-38, and held the advantage in points in the paint, 28-to-20. Also, for the first time this season, Nicholls' bench out-produced its opponent, scoring 22 off the pine to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's 16.

Nicholls led for the majority of the first half until Texas A&M-Corpus Christi established a nine-point advantage - 18-9 - with 11 minutes left in the half. The Islanders then went on to outscore the Colonels 33-9 the rest of the way in the first period to take a 31-27 lead into locker room at the midway point.

The Islanders increased their lead to as many as nine - 38-29 - early on in the second half, but the Colonels went on a 10-1 run to tie the game at 39 apiece with 12 minutes left in the game.

Both teams traded lead changes until junior Jamia Akins connected on a three-point basket in the corner via the Alisha Allen assist to give the Colonels the 46-43 lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Nicholls would never relinquish its lead for the remainder of the game.

After the Akins trey, the Colonels got a stop on the opposite end, and on the ensuing offensive possession, increased its lead to five on an Allen jumper. Nicholls built its lead to as many as eight points - 60-52 - with 4:16 left, and despite a furious rally by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the closing minutes, the Colonels held on to get the win.

The Islanders had two players score in double figures with Deziree Green leading the way with a game-high 16.

Nicholls will be back in action next Wednesday at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.

###