Final Stats HUNTSVILLE, Texas  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team was held to a season-low 21 percent shooting as the Colonels dropped their first conference game of the season, 67-46, at Sam Houston State on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Coliseum.

Sumar Leslie led Nicholls (9-7, 2-1) with 14 points and finished 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Alisha Allen added 12 points and nine boards, while Jenny Nash had nine rebounds and five points.

The Colonels, who came into the matchup leading the conference in shooting percentage, made only 13-of-62 from the field and also struggled from outside the arc, connecting on 2-of-22. Eighteen of the Colonels' total points came at the free throw line, where Nicholls made 18-of-20.

Sam Houston State (8-6, 3-0) never trailed in the game, building a 15-4 lead in the first six minutes. Nicholls answered with the game's next five points, putting the score at 15-9 after a 3-pointer from KK Babin, who finished with seven points. However, the Bearkats quickly regained a sizeable lead as they went into the half leading 34-19.

In the second half, the Colonels closed the gap at 38-29 after a pair of free throws from Allen. On the next possession, the Bearkats answered with a 3-pointer to push the deficit back to double figures, and Sam Houston never looked back as they cruised to its fourth straight victory.

Sam Houston was led by Britni Martin with a game-high 16 points and Chanice Smith with 15. As a team, the Bearkats shot 42 percent and had 22 assists on 26 made field goals. The Bearkats had the edge on the boards, 49-42.

Nicholls will return to Thibodaux for the next two contests, starting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, against Central Arkansas. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is set for 6:30 p.m.