THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will look to claim a season-series split on Thursday as the Colonels host Stephen F. Austin at Stopher Gym. The 45th meeting between the programs will be broadcast live on ESPN3, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Nicholls (14-8, 6-5), winners of its last two, is seeking its 15th victory of the season, which would tie the program record that was set last season. The matchup against SFA (10-13, 5-7) also has significant conference implications as the Colonels are looking to move into the top four of the standings, while the Ladyjacks are 1.5 games behind Nicholls.

The all-time series against SFA has been one-sided, with the Ladyjacks leading 40-4. Three of the Colonels' victories have come since 2005, with head coach DoBee Plaisance's squads notching two.  In last season's meeting in Thibodaux, the Colonels won in a thriller as Jenny Nash banked in the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds, giving Nicholls a 64-63 win.

But SFA has won the last two contests, moving into the championship game of last year's Southland Conference Tournament with a nine-point victory before knocking off the Colonels in Nacogdoches this season with a 74-66 win. In the last meeting, the Ladyjacks were able to erase an early 12-point deficit, helped by a season-high nine 3-pointers.

Nicholls comes into the game averaging 65.5 points in conference play, with SFA at 60.5 ppg. Overall, the Colonels are 5-2 at home this season, scoring nearly 70 points per game. The Ladyjacks have struggled on the road, posting a 3-9 record.

Alisha Allen led Nicholls with 18 points against Southeastern, marking the 11th time this season that the Colonels' lone season has paced the team in scoring. Allen is sixth in the Southland in scoring (15.0 ppg), followed by KK Babin (12.7) who is tied for 11th.

The Ladyjacks are led by their standout sophomore center, Porsha Roberts, who is averaging 13.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. In the last meeting against the Colonels, Roberts had 12 points and six rebounds, but was charged with nine turnovers.

Following Thursday's ESPN3 game, the Colonels will close out their three-game homestand on Saturday against Northwestern State. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Tipoff: 5:30 p.m.
Radio: 91.5 FM KNSU (Thibodaux, La.)
Video Stream: ESPN3
Live Stats: www.geauxcolonels.com