Final Stats Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – In a game that saw points come at a premium, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team missed six of seven free throws in the final 75 seconds and Sam Houston's Jasmine Johnson made a 3-pointer at the final buzzer as the Colonels fell 51-50 to the Bearkats Saturday afternoon at Johnson Coliseum.

After falling behind by 14 points in the first half, Nicholls (7-8, 2-2) looked to have claimed its first road win of the conference season after Jenny Nash, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds, made a runner to put the Colonels up 49-48 with 5.2 seconds remaining. Following a free throw by Nicholls' Taylor Morrison, Sam Houston (6-9, 1-3) had one last shot with 0.5 seconds and Johnson had just enough time to get off a 3-pointer to win the game.

Both teams shot poorly as Nicholls made only 27 percent from the field while the Bearkats shot 33 percent. Only three players reached double figures in scoring as Emani White joined Nash with 11 points for the Colonels, and Johnson had a game-high 17 for the Bearkats.

Nicholls led only once in the first 30 minutes, coming at 3-2 when KK Babin drained a 3-pointer. The Colonel offense was non-existent after Babin's bucket as they started the game 1 of 14 from the field. While Sam Houston didn't start out much better, they scored 15 consecutive points to lead 17-3 midway through the first half.

A three by White sparked a 7-0 run, and Nicholls slowly came back to trail only 25-22 at the break.

In the second half, Nicholls stayed within striking distance but could never regain the lead until the 9:13 mark when a pair of Babin free throws made the score 34-33. Babin finished with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.p

Over the next seven minutes, the lead changed five times and free throws by Sam Houston gave the Bearkats the edge at 46-45 with 1:58 to go. With 1:15 remaining, Marina Lilly came up with a huge basket inside and was fouled, but could not convert on the free throw.

Nicholls caused a turnover on the next possession, but Jasmine Scott, who had eight points off the bench, came up empty at the line with 30 seconds to go. However, Lilly rebounded the second miss and White was sent to the line with 23 ticks left. An 85-percent free throw shooter, White missed the Colonels fourth and fifth consecutive free throws, allowing Sam Houston for a chance at the lead.

Johnson was fouled at half court with 18 second left, and knocked down both to make the score 48-47. After Nash's bucket in the lane, White came up with a deflection on the inbounds and Morrison made her second free throw to give Nicholls a 50-48 lead with three seconds remaining.

Sam Houston heaved the ball down court and it went out of bounds off Nicholls with 0.5 seconds left. Off the inbounds play, Johnson caught the ball on the wing and drained the game-winning 3-pointer. The officials would confirm the basket on the replay monitors.

Nicholls returns home for its next two contests, hosting Houston Baptist (Jan.16) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Jan. 18). Tipoff on Thursday against HBU is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.