Final Stats THIBODAUX, La. – Central Arkansas used a 33-point, 11-rebound performance from Megan Herbert to hand the Nicholls State University women's basketball team a 72-56 defeat in Southland Conference action at Stopher Gym on Thursday night.

The Colonels drop to 8-4 on the year and 0-1 in conference. Central Arkansas improves to 8-4 and 1-0 in Southland play.

Nicholls had no answer inside as Herbert, the two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year, and Courtney Duever (18 points) combined for 51 points and 19 rebounds. The Sugar Bears finished the night with a 36-26 advantage in points in the paint.

Alisha Allen led the Colonels, scoring 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Allen hauled in eight rebounds as UCA held the edge on the glass, 33-30. LiAnn McCarthy chipped in with 11 points and KK Babin added 10 points and seven rebounds. Emani White came off the bench for eight points and a team-high five assists.

Nicholls never led in the game and the score was only tied once at 2-2. Five minutes into the contest, UCA took an 11-4 lead after Britney Gowans connected on a 3-pointer. Following a pair of free throws by Allen, the Sugar Bears went on a 12-2 run over the next five minutes to go up 28-13. Allen knocked down a three to cut the deficit back to 10; however, UCA would go into the break leading 37-21.

In the second half, the Sugar Bears continued to dominate as they took at 25-point lead, 48-23, at the 14:55 mark. With less than seven minutes remaining, Babin sank a 3-pointer to bring Nicholls within 15, but the Colonels would not get any closer.

Nicholls finished at 42.6 percent from the field and made 6-of-14 from behind the arc. UCA shot 49 percent and hit 5-of-13 from 3-point range.

The Colonels return to action at Stopher Gym on Saturday when they host Oral Roberts. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.