THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team led for almost the entire game against South Alabama before the Jaguars rallied late to pull ahead, but senior Jenny Nash nailed a 3-pointer with 38 seconds remaining to put the Colonels up for good as Nicholls held on for a 66-62 victory Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
Nicholls (3-3) was led by freshman Tia Charles, who scored 12 of her career-high 19 points in the first half. Charles was 5-of-8 in the period as Nicholls shot 59 percent from the field to lead 39-30 at the break.
 
South Alabama (3-3) saw its largest deficit at 13 points early in the second half, but the Jags used a 19-5 run over the next six minutes to come within one at 50-49 at the 11:08 mark. Brittany Webb helped cap the run by knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.
 
Despite the comeback, South Alabama never went ahead until five minutes later when Breanna Hall, who led USA with 17 points, sank a field goal for a 54-52 South Alabama lead. The Jaguars pushed the lead to four before Charles drained a 3-pointer with 4:07 to go.
 
The teams traded buckets over the next four possessions, with Charles and Nash knocking down runners in the paint for the Colonels. Down 62-60, Charles set up Nash for the go-ahead 3-pointer on the right wing with 38 ticks on the clock.
 
After a timeout by South Alabama, the defense forced a missed layup, which was rebounded by Marina Lilly who was fouled immediately. Lilly converted on both attempts for a 64-60 lead. With 13 seconds remaining, USA's Colby Davis made a layup to cut the deficit to two.
 
On the inbounds, Hope Pawlowski was fouled with four seconds left and made both free throws, then picked up a steal to end the game.
 
Nash reached double figures in scoring for the Colonels, finishing with 12 points and five assists. Lilly added nine points and seven boards while Jovana Mandich had six points and two blocks.
 
For the game, Nicholls shot a season-high 46 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range (6-of-16). South Alabama finished at 40 percent from the field. Along with Hall, Davis led USA with 16 points.
 
Nicholls will return to action on Monday, Dec. 15 at Louisiana Tech. Tipoff in Ruston is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.