THIBODAUX  – In a battle between teams currently undefeated in Southland Conference play, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team will take on Sam Houston State on Saturday (Jan. 14) afternoon at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Nicholls (9-6, 2-0) broke two lengthy losing streaks against UTA and Northwestern State over the past week, and will look to end Sam Houston's two-game streak over the Colonels. The Bearkats (7-6, 2-0), winners of three consecutive games, hold a 28-18 lead in the all-time series against Nicholls.

In Southland play, the Colonels have cut their turnovers in half at 10 per game, while the defense has forced over 22 per outing. With the help of 47 points off turnovers, Nicholls was able to win back-to-back conference games by double digits for the first time since 1999.

Nicholls features the conference's top scoring trio, led by senior Sumar Leslie, who ranks second at 16.3 points per game. For the second time this season, Leslie flirted with a triple-double, coming up just two assists shy in the victory over Northwestern State.  Ranking fifth in the SLC in points is junior Alisha Allen (14.5) with 218, followed by sophomore KK Babin (14.5) with 217.

While the trio has been leading Nicholls all season, sophomore LiAnn McCarthy came off the bench on Wednesday for a career-high 20 points. As a true freshman, McCarthy scored nine points per game with 21 starts for the Colonels, but has been limited in 10 appearances this season due to injuries.

The Bearkats, who have defeated UTA and UTSA in Southland play, are led by a pair of 14-point scorers in Sequeena Thomas (14.5) and Britni Martin (14.2). Thomas is also one of the league's top rebounders, hauling in 9.7 per outing. 

So far this season, Sam Houston is undefeated at home. The Bearkats picked up their fifth win at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum with a 58-41 victory over UTA on Wednesday. 

Following the matchup against Sam Houston, the Colonels will return home for their next two games, starting on Jan. 18 against Central Arkansas.