Final Stats THIBODAUX  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team led by as many as 17 points in the second half against Central Arkansas, but the Sugar Bears held Nicholls to 25 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes as UCA completed a ferocious comeback to escape with a 66-59 victory on Wednesday night at Stopher Gym.

With the loss, Nicholls falls to 9-8 overall and 2-2 in Southland play. Central Arkansas, ranked No. 17 in the Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, improves to 13-4 and 3-1, extending its winning streak over the Colonels to five games.

Alisha Allen paced Nicholls with 14 points, followed by Sumar Leslie with 11 and Jenny Nash with 10. Leslie and Nash each grabbed seven rebounds on the night, while KK Babin dished out a season-high seven assists.

The Colonels headed into halftime with a 39-23 lead, thanks to a perfect 5-of-5 from behind the arc. Nicholls had the advantage almost the entire first period, trailing only in the early going.

Leading 25-21 with six minutes until the break, the Colonels put together a 14-2 to run to close out the half. Up 31-23, LiAnn McCarthy drained back-to-back 3-pointers for the Colonels before Jasmine Hoskins capped off the run with a layup, giving Nicholls the 16-point edge at the intermission.

In the second half, the Sugar Bears quickly cut into the deficit, trimming it to 44-35 after four minutes of play. However, Nicholls maintained a comfortable lead until Desiree Rogers, who was one of four Sugar Bears to reach double figures, made a layup at the 11-minute mark to make the count 48-45.

Nicholls responded with another 3-pointer from McCarthy, and a jumper by Leslie pushed it back to eight. The Colonels looked to have weathered the storm, but UCA finally tied the game at 55-all with four minutes to play.

Following a turnover by Nicholls, UCA grabbed the lead, 59-57, with less than three minutes remaining. The Colonels came up short on their next two possessions before Micah Rice drained a deep 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, giving UCA a five-point lead with 1:01 on the clock. Nicholls would have to foul the rest of the way, but Central Arkansas converted 14-of-15 at the line in the second half to pull off the comeback.

Against the league's top defense, Nicholls finished the night shooting 40 percent, but after a flawless first half from behind the arc, the Colonels made only 2-of-15 after the break.

Central Arkansas shot 36 percent, but held a 44-32 advantage on the glass, including 17 offensive. The Sugars Bears made 17-of-19 from the line, while Nicholls converted all six of their attempts at the charity stripe.

UCA was led by Megan Herbert with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Nakeia Guiden added 17 points and Rice finished with 16.

Nicholls will return to action at Stopher Gym on Saturday, Jan. 21, when the Colonels host rival Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.