THIBODAUX  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will be looking to close out 2011 by matching its longest winning streak (five games) in program history as the Colonels host Southern University at New Orleans on Friday evening at Stopher Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Before the holiday break, Nicholls (6-5) outlasted North Texas in overtime, 67-64, to win its fourth straight contest of the season. Senior Sumar Leslie led the way with 21 points as Nicholls capitalized at the free throw line, connecting on 16-of-20.

With a win over SUNO (2-5), Nicholls would tie the program's longest winning streak at five games, which the Colonels have reached twice –1984-85 and most recently, 1998-99.

During the winning streak, the Colonels have shot nearly 50 percent from the floor, 80 percent at the line and have made 29-of-67 (43 percent) from behind the arc. Nicholls is currently posting the best shooting numbers in the Southland, leading the league in percentage in all three areas.

Individually, Leslie has paced the Colonel offense, ranking second in the SLC with 15.8 points per game after recording her second 20-point outing of the 2011-12 campaign. So far this season, the Houma native has scored in double figures in all 11 contests, while also ranking second in the league in assists (4.1).

SUNO, of the NAIA, will be trying to snap a four-game skid after starting off the year 2-1. The Lady Knights, who will be counting the matchup as an exhibition, recently played McNeese State in an exhibition and was defeated, 78-23.

The Lady Knights are led on offense by Kelly Stewart, who leads the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in scoring at 15.0 points per game. SUNO features two other players in double figures, Christine Conner (12.6) and Rose Boatner (11.9). As a team, the Lady Knights rank among the NAIA's best with 12 steals per game.

Tipoff for the 2011 finale is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. A live video broadcast will be featured on ThibodauxOnline.com.