Final Stats Box Score

DeLAND, Fla.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team held a four-point lead with just six minutes remaining against Stetson in the Hatters Classic final, but the Colonels could only muster two field goals the rest of the way as Stetson picked up a 74-65 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Nicholls falls to 5-5 on the year while Stetson improves to 8-4. The Hatters improve to 2-0 all-time against the Colonels.

The Colonels shook off their road shooting struggles in Friday's win over Bethune-Cookman, but a 34 percent day from the field against Stetson proved to be too much to overcome. Nicholls shot just a shade under 40 percent in the first half to lead 31-27 at the break; however, connected on only 12 of 41 from the field in the final 20 minutes.

Jenny Nash, who was named to the all-tournament team, led Nicholls with 15 points on 5 of 11 3-pointers. As a team, Nicholls drained 11 shots from behind the arc, with Emani White and Taylor Morrison adding three each. Morrison had a career-high scoring effort off the bench with 11 points, as did Shay Arnick who tacked on 12. White finished with 13 points – all coming in the second half.

Despite the teams combining for 17 turnovers in the first half, Nicholls' bench play was the difference as the Colonels outscored Stetson 16-0. Arnick provided a huge spark with eight points while Morrison was a perfect 2 of 2 from 3-point range.

With Nicholls holding a four-point lead after 20 minutes, Stetson evened up the score at 33-all at the 17:13 mark. The lead went back-and-forth over the next ten minutes as the advantage changed hands a total of 26 times for the game.

With less than six minutes to go, Jasmine Scott gave Nicholls a 58-54 lead; however, Stetson put together an 8-0 run capped on a 3-pointer from Jama Sharp, who led all scorers with 18 points.

Morrison cut the deficit in half with a layup at the 3:21 mark before Stetson answered with a putback. White then found Nash for a 3-pointer with 2:35 remaining, but once again the Hatters answered, this time with back-to-back field goals to grab a 68-63 lead.

While the Colonels would not score another field goal the rest of the way, Stetson made six free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Nicholls was edged in rebounds, 43-39, and Stetson had a huge advantage in free throws. The Hatters made 20 of 27 from the charity stripe while Nicholls made good on all four of its attempts.