Box Score and Play-by-Play

NATCHITOCHES, La. - Freshman forward LiAnn McCarthy turned in a team-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds and senior guard Ricshanda Bickham added 12, but it wasn't enough for the Nicholls State University women's basketball team (8-20, 3-12 Southland Conference) as four Demons scored in double digits to give Northwestern State (14-14, 9-6 Southland Conference) a 74-57 win on Wednesday night in Prather Coliseum.  The loss eliminates the Colonels from Southland Conference Tournament contention.

The Colonels began the final week of the regular season 1.0 game in back of a three-way tie for the eighth and final Southland Conference Tournament spot, hoping for the program's first postseason tournament bid since the 2005.  However, Nicholls' loss, combined with a win by Texas-Arlington, gives the Mavericks a 2.0 game lead on the Colonels for the eighth and final conference tournament spot with one game left in the regular season.

Nicholls, which has recorded its most conference wins since the 2007-08 season and its highest overall win total since the 2004-05 campaign, will now turn its attention to recording the program's first nine-win season since the 2002-03 campaign.  The Colonels will also have a chance to play spoiler for the conference tournament hopes of Southeastern Louisiana.  The Lions remain 1.0 game ahead of the Colonels and 1.0 game out of the conference tournament pictures.  A win by Nicholls in the regular season finale against Southeastern La. on Saturday would eliminate the Lions from postseason contention and give the Colonels a season sweep of their nearest in-state rival on Senior Day.

The Colonels will return to action on Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana.  Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. in Stopher Gym.  Prior to the start of the contest, the Colonels will honor seniors Ricshanda Bickham and Cassie Hearon who will be playing the final games of their college careers.