THIBODAUX  – Searching for its first postseason berth since 2001, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team will begin a daunting week on Wednesday as they travel to Central Arkansas to take on the first-place Sugar Bears in Southland Conference action. Tipoff at the Farris Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Following Wednesday's matchup against UCA (21-4, 11-1), the Colonels will host second-place McNeese State on Saturday. Both the Sugar Bears and Cowgirls have already clinched berths in the Southland Tournament, while Nicholls is currently tied for sixth place.

In the last meeting in Thibodaux, the Colonels (13-12, 6-6) had the Sugar Bears on the ropes, building a 17-point lead just minutes into the second half. However, UCA overcame the deficit to knock off Nicholls, 66-59, to win its second game of a current 10-game winning streak.

Nicholls heads into the matchup looking to defeat UCA for the third time in 12 matchups. In the Colonels' last outing against UTSA, senior Sumar Leslie put together an outstanding all-around performance, scoring 29 points with eight assists, six rebounds and five steals, leading Nicholls to a 68-62 victory.

UCA is coming off a 61-55 win against Sam Houston State, despite shooting only 28.6 percent in the second half. On the year, the Sugar Bears are tops in the league in field goal percentage (.413), while Nicholls is nipping at their heels at .412. Both squads also rank second and third in scoring, with UCA at 67.8 points per game with the Colonels right behind at 66.9.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available at geauxcolonels.com.