Final Stats BEAUMONT, Texas  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team fought back to chip a 12-point first-half deficit to two points with 10 minutes remaining in the game, but the Lamar Lady Cardinals held the Colonels to three points the rest of the way as Nicholls fell, 70-52, at the Montagne Center on Saturday afternoon.

Nicholls falls to 13-11 overall and 6-5 in conference. Lamar improves to 13-11 and pulls within a half game in the East Division at 5-5.

KK Babin led the Colonels with a game-high 17 points, with 14 coming in the first half. Babin hit five 3-pointers in the game, including four before the break as Nicholls connected on six as a team and shot 50 percent from the field. The Colonels went into the half down 36-30.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, Nicholls stayed within striking distance, trimming the lead to three points on two separate occasions, both after layups by senior Jasmine Hoskins, who finished the day with 10 points.

With 10:11 left in the game, Babin sank her fifth 3-pointer to make the count 51-49; however, the Colonels would not get any closer. Lamar put the game away with an impressive 18-1 run, holding Nicholls to just one field goal in the last 10 minutes of the contest en route to a 70-52 victory.

LU held a significant advantage inside, outscoring Nicholls 46-16 in the paint. The Lady Cardinals also had a 24-4 edge in fastbreak points. All five starters for Lamar scored in double figures, led by 17 from Kalis Loyd.

Nicholls finished the day shooting 37 percent after making only 10-of-35 in the second half. LU shot at a 48 percent clip.

The Colonels will have Wednesday off before returning to action on Saturday (Feb. 18) for a men's /women's basketball doubleheader at Stopher Gym.  Tipoff against the Roadrunners is scheduled for 1 p.m, with the men to follow against IUPUI.