THIBODAUX – After recording its most non-conference victories since joining the Southland Conference in 1991, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team will be looking to carry that momentum into its Southland opener as the Colonels host UT Arlington on Saturday at Stopher Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

While Nicholls (7-6) had its five-game winning streak snapped at UALR on Wednesday, the Colonels finished their non-conference with seven victories, including a pair of wins over Sun Belt Conference foes, Louisiana-Lafayette and North Texas. Even though their overall streak came to an end, the Colonels will be trying to win their fourth straight contest at Stopher Gym.

UTA comes into the matchup with a 2-9 record, but the Mavericks have dominated the series against Nicholls with a 33-1 overall record, including the last 15. The lone win versus UTA came in the 2000-01 season, when the Colonels took the contest, 74-68.

Going into SLC play, the Colonels are headed by senior Sumar Leslie, who leads the team in scoring (15.4), rebounding (6.0) and assists (4.3). After missing most of the conference season last year due to injury, Leslie currently ranks fourth in the league in scoring.

Also leading the offense are sophomore KK Babin (14.7), who ranks fifth in the league after scoring 19 points against UALR, and junior Alisha Allen (13.9).

The Mavericks head to Thibodaux looking for their third win of the season after falling to Fresno State on Tuesday, 78-48. In their non-conference slate, UTA had wins over McMurry and Houston Baptist. The Mavericks also faced North Texas earlier this season and fell 66-47.

Whlie UTA does not have any players averaging double figures; three Mavericks are scoring at least eight points per outing. Rosalyn Thorpe leads the team off the bench with 8.6, followed by Bianca Sauls (8.2) and Chauntandra Williams (8.0).

Live stats will be provided at tipoff on geauxcolonels.com. A live video broadcast will also be available courtesy of ThibodauxOnline.com.