Final Stats MONROE, La.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team held a 12-point advantage in the first half against Louisiana-Monroe, but the Colonels could not hang on as the Warwarks picked up their first win of the season with a 78-68 victory over Nicholls on Saturday evening at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

With the loss, Nicholls drops to 2-5 on the season and has lost its last two. ULM improves to 1-8.

Junior Alisha Allen led the Colonels with her second straight 20-plus point scoring effort, finishing with 24 on the night. Senior Sumar Leslie netted a season-high 23 points and KK Babin added 14. Babin pulled down six rebounds as Nicholls held a slim 38-37 edge on the boards.

Nicholls came out of the gate on fire, hitting four of its first five field goals en route to a 13-2 lead. The Colonels continued to hold a comfortable lead until the 7:50 mark as ULM used an 8-0 run to make the score 21-19. However, the Red and Gray were able to stave off the Warhawks before a three-ball evened the count at 25.

ULM grabbed its first lead on its next possession and never looked back. The Warhawks headed into the break up 35-28.

In the second period, ULM stretched its lead to 11 in the first five minutes at 44-33. Nicholls was able to cut the deficit to 54-50 with less than eight minutes remaining after a bucket by Leslie. However, it would be as close as the Colonels would get as ULM held on for a 10-point victory.

Nicholls had 24 turnovers in the loss, and had only five assists versus 16 for ULM. Larrie Williams paced the Warhawks with 21 points, while Jasmine Shaw had 18.

Nicholls will return to action on Friday, Dec.9 when they host Florida A&M at the Houma-Terrebone Civic Center as part of a women's/men's doubleheader sponsored by Rouse's. Tipoff for the women is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.