KATY, Texas.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will be looking for its first postseason victory in program history as the Colonels open up play in the 2012 Southland Conference Tournament against regular season champion Central Arkansas. Tipoff at the Merrell Center on Tuesday is slated for 6 p.m.

The matchup between top-seeded Central Arkansas (24-5) and the Colonels (14-15) will be broadcast on 100.3 FM KLRZ and 1600 KLEM, with Mike Wagenheim calling the play-by-play. Live streaming will also be available on SLC NOW.

Nicholls clinched a tournament berth in its second-to-last game against Northwestern State, but the Colonels were edged by Southeastern Louisiana, 73-72, in the season finale. With a win against SLU, Nicholls would have claimed the 5th-seed; however, fell to the No. 8 spot after the loss.

The Sugar Bears, who won the regular season title outright with a victory against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, swept the Colonels this season to extend their winning streak to six games in the series. Nicholls had the champs on the ropes in Thibodaux, leading by as much as 17 in the second half before UCA rallied back for a 66-59 victory. In Conway, the Colonels never threatened the Sugar Bears as UCA led by 20 at the half en route to a 67-47 win.

The All-Southland trio of Sumar Leslie, KK Babin and Alisha Allen lead the Colonels, combining for 43.2 points per game. Leslie, who along with Babin earned second-team honors, finished the regular season ranked 5th in the SLC in scoring at 16 points per game. Allen, who earned honorable mention, scored 23 and 30 points in her last two outings to up her average to 14.4 (10th), and Babin finished at 14th in league at 12.8.

Nicholls will have its hands full in containing Megan Herbert, who was named Southland Conference Player of Year for the second straight season. Herbet, who averaged 17.6 points and 11.1 rebounds, had a combined 40 points and 28 boards in the two wins against the Colonels.

If Nicholls can upset Central Arkansas, they will take on the winner of No. 4 Stephen F. Austin and No. 5 Lamar. The second round game will be on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

The Colonels are currently 0-3 all-time in the Southland Tournament, with all three losses coming against former member, Louisiana Monroe.