Final Stats Box Score

THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team let a nine-point lead at the half slip away in the early minutes of the second period against Southland newcomer Houston Baptist and despite a late rally, the Colonels were never able to regain the lead as they fell to the Huskies, 66-61, Thursday night at Stopher Gym, snapping their 10-game home winning streak.

The loss was Nicholls' (7-9, 2-3) third consecutive in conference play and first home loss since Jan. 26 of last year. HBU improves to 6-10 overall and 2-3 in the Southland.

Sophomore Emani White led all scorers with 22 points on 8 of 19 from the field and made 3 of 6 from 3-point range. White was the only Colonel to reach double figures in scoring, with Jenny Nash finishing with nine points.

Nicholls shot just 35 percent from the field, marking the third straight game the team has finished under 40 percent. The Colonels finished 39 percent in the opening period, but converted 16 HBU turnovers into 18 points to lead 37-28 at the break.

The Huskies started the second half on an 8-0 run before taking the lead at 40-39 at the 15:15 mark. After six lead changes over the next five minutes, Houston Baptist took the lead for good midway through the period at 51-49.

HBU's lead swelled to 62-52 with 4:24 to go before Nicholls scored nine straight points to make it a one possession game. Marina Lilly started the run with a bucket inside before White nailed a 3-pointer to make the score 62-57. A layup by Taylor Morrison brought the Colonels to within three and White capped the run with a layin with 48 seconds remaining.

Nicholls elected not to foul and Erin McGarrachan found a seem for an easy basket inside to push the lead to 64-61 with 20 seconds to go. With the clock winding down, Nash got off an off-balanced 3-pointer but came up short. HBU knocked down two free throws in the final seconds to put the game away.

Nicholls had only 13 turnovers, but could not convert on the extra field goal attempts. After making 5 of 11 3-pointers in the first half, Nicholls made only 2 of 9 from behind the arc. The free throw shooting woes that hampered the Colonels late in their loss at Sam Houston continued as Nicholls made just 53 percent at the line (10 of 19).

HBU shot 47 percent from the field and outrebounded Nicholls 45-32. Rachel Arthur led the Huskies with 18 points while Shanice Steenholdt, who played only two minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, scored 15 points in the second.

Nicholls will wrap up the week on Saturday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is slated for 1 p.m.