THIBODAUX, La. – Following its best non-conference record in program history, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team opens up Southland Conference play against Central Arkansas on Thursday, Jan. 3 at Stopher Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The conference opener against Central Arkansas (7-4) can be watched live on Colonels All-Access. The matchup will also be broadcast on the Colonel Sports Radio Network on KNSU 91.5 FM, with pregame coverage set to start at 5:15 p.m.

Nicholls (8-3) will be playing only its third home game of the season, going 2-0 in back-to-back contests against ULM and Louisiana-Lafayette in November. Since then, the Colonels played six games on the road, posting a 4-2 record to climb back to five games over .500 for the second time this season.

In the Colonels' last outing against Texas Southern, freshman Emani White set a career-high in points for the third consecutive game as she made six 3-pointers to lead Nicholls with 20 points. White's career-night put her at 8.4 points per game, which ties LiAnn McCarthy for fourth on the team.

Senior Alisha Allen continues to head the offense (65.5 ppg), scoring 13.7 points per game. Out of 11 games this season, Allen has reached double figures in all but one game as she has climbed to third on the Colonels' all-time scoring list with 1,275 points.

Junior KK Babin (12.7 ppg) has also been a steady figure in the Colonel offense, leading the team in scoring in four games, including a season-high 26 in the win at UNO. Along with ranking 10th in the SC in scoring, Babin ranks in the Top 5 in assists (4.5/3rd), free throw percentage (.811/5th), 3-point percentage (.400/4th) and 3-pointers made (1.6/4th).

UCA comes into Thibodaux with the second-most wins in the conference (7), tied with Lamar and Southeastern.  The Colonels and Sugar Bears have had two common opponents so far, with both defeating ULM while each lost to Arkansas State.

Reigning two-time Southland Player of the Year Megan Herbert leads the Sugar Bears, ranking second in the conference in scoring (17.1) and rebounding (11.3). Herbert has four double-doubles this season, including a 32-point, 24-rebound effort in UCA's win over Southern Illinois.

UCA features one of the NCAA's stingiest defenses, ranking seventh in points allowed (48.2) and 11th in field goal percentage defense (.322). The Sugar Bears have given up less than 40 points in three games, including 21 against NAIA Central Baptist.

Central Arkansas leads the all-time series against Nicholls, 10-3. UCA won both regular season matchups last season to extend its winning streak to six games versus the Colonels before Nicholls knocked off the Sugar Bears in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament, 79-59.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Tipoff: 5:30 p.m.
Radio: 91.5 FM KNSU (Thibodaux, La.)
Video Streaming: Colonels All-Access
Live Stats: www.geauxcolonels.com