Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team received an outstanding individual effort from its lone senior, Alisha Allen, who had 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Colonels knocked off Louisiana-Lafayette, 71-62, Monday night at Stopher Gym.

The win over ULL (2-2) improved the Colonels' record to 4-1, which is the best start in program history, surpassing the 2001-02's 3-1 squad led by Louise “Do” Bonin. The victory is also the fourth consecutive overall and the Colonels up their home record to 12-4 since the beginning of last season's campaign.

On a night where Nicholls struggled from behind the arc, shooting 2-of-16, Allen provided a dominating presence inside. The senior forward was 10-of-14 from the field, grabbed five offensive rebounds and blocked two shots. She also finished 8-of-9 at the line as the Colonels shot 82.1 (23-of-28) percent as a team.

Allen was one of three Colonels to finish in double figures, joined by KK Babin (12 points) and freshman Emani White (11). While Babin was empty from downtown for the second straight game, she led the squad with five assists. White had one of the Colonel 3-pointers, with the other coming from Jenny Nash.

ULL scored the game's first points on a layup by Kia Wilridge, but Nicholls answered with the next 11 points. Ten minutes into the game, the Colonels led 18-7 after a pair of free thrown by Jasmine Scott. But the Ragin' Cajuns stormed back, going on a 17-5 run over the next four minutes. With the game even at 26 with three minutes until halftime, Allen sparked an 8-0 run with a jumper and the Colonels led 36-28 at the intermission.

Nicholls took a 15-point lead after White's 3-pointer made it 48-33.  However, ULL put together a 10-run, getting five points from Keke Veal, who finished with 19 off the bench.

Babin pushed the advantage back to double-digits with the game's next five points, including a basket-and-one. The Ragin' Cajuns were able to come within six at 53-47 before Allen hit back-to-back field goals to make the deficit 10 with 10 to go. The rest of the way, Nicholls was never threatened, matching its largest lead (15) as the Colonels defeated ULL for the second straight season.

Nicholls shot 41.1 percent from the field and had the advantage on the boards, 41-35. ULL finished at 37.9 percent and struggled from outside as well, making only 4-of-15 from 3-point range. Along with Veal, Ashley Benjamin added 14 points, Wilridge had 12 and Byronesha Santiago had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.

The Colonels will hit the road for their next six games, starting with a rematch against UNO on Nov. 23 at the Basketball Travelers Invitational, hosted by Texas Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and can be listened to on KNSU 91.5 FM.

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