THIBODAUX  – After playing only one home game in its first nine contests of the season, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team will host Belhaven University at Stopher Gym on Tuesday night to start its three-game homestand to close out 2011. Tipoff against the Lady Blazers is set for 6:30 p.m.

Nicholls (4-5) will be looking to capture its third straight victory after wins over Florida A&M and Texas Southern over the weekend, which would match its longest streak from last season, also in December.

“I'm very excited for our team as we come into the game with a two-game winning streak. We definitely have some momentum from that, especially after picking up a tough road win at Texas Southern,” said Nicholls women's basketball head coach DoBee Plaisance. “I feel very confident with how we are playing right now. We still have some maturing to do in terms of recognizing personnel, but right now we are just looking to get better in practice every day.”

Belhaven (7-3), ranked 23rd in the NAIA, has lost its last three outings including a 64-60 defeat against cross town Jackson, Miss. rival, Tougaloo. Belhaven's two previous losses came against the 4th-ranked team in the NAIA, Freed-Hardeman. However, the Lady Blazers have already knocked off an NCAA Division I opponent as they upset Troy University, 56-53, in an exhibition game on Nov. 22.

“Belhaven is coming in tomorrow night ranked in the Top 25 in the NAIA. They defeated Troy in an exhibition game earlier this season, so they're going to be ready to play,” said Coach Plaisance. “I have a lot of respect for the Belhaven program; Billy Evans does a great job with his team.”

Leading the Lady Blazers is senior guard Regena Jackson with 22.4 points per game, which ranks second in the NAIA. Belhaven has two other players averaging double figures, Portia Tucker (11.2) and Sarah Carr (11.1).

With the absence of starter LiAnn McCarthy for the last few games, who's been out with an injury but is expected to see action on Tuesday, Nicholls has relied heavily on its big three; Sumar Leslie (14.9 ppg), Alisha Allen (14.7) and KK Babin (13.0), while also getting solid play from the rest of the team.

One player that has picked up the slack is freshman Jenny Nash, who has averaged 11.4 points since McCarthy's absence. Nash, a native of Houston, has connected on 16 3-pointers on the season, trailing Babin's 20 for the team lead. 

Tipoff for Tuesday night's contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Live stats will be provided on geauxcolonels.com.