Final Stats TUSCALOOSA, Ala.  - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team headed into halftime trailing by only four points against Alabama, but the Crimson Tide held the Colonels to under 25 percent shooting in the second half en route to a 72-51 victory at Foster Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Alisha Allen and senior Sumar Leslie led the Colonels with 12 points each. Leslie also finished with seven rebounds and a game-high six assists. Sophomore LiAnn McCarthy chipped with seven points and freshman Jenny Nash hit a pair of 3-pointers for six points.

Nicholls (0-1) trailed early on, but the hot hand of Nash, who was making her collegiate debut, helped put the Colonels on top 11-8. Nash's first 3-pointer gave Nicholls its first lead at 8-7, then the native of Houston, Texas, nailed her second attempt from behind the arc to make the score 11-8 at the 12:55 mark.

After Alabama (1-0) regained the lead at 14-13, the Colonels hit their third three of the early going, this time from senior Jasmine Hoskins, giving Nicholls a two-point lead. However, the Crimson Tide outscored the Colonels 15-9 as AU led 29-25 at the break.

The second half was a different story as Alabama quickly put together an 11-0 run during the first five minutes, putting the score at 48-31. Nicholls pulled with 15 at 55-40 on a three-ball from Lelsie, but the Colonels would not get any closer as the Tide rolled to a 72-51 victory.

Nicholls was held to 28.8 percent from the field (17-of-59), and had 19 turnovers in the game.

Meghan Perkins led Alabama with a game-high 13 points, while Erika Russell added 11.

The Colonels will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 17, when they hit the road to take on Louisiana-Lafayette. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.