THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will take on Southland newcomer Abilene Christian on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at Stopher Gym.

With four games remaining in the regular season, Nicholls (14-11, 9-5) will be looking to stay within striking distance of first-place Central Arkansas (11-3 SLC), which is the only team to have clinched a spot in the Southland Tournament. Nicholls is currently tied for third with Stephen F. Austin, and all but two teams in the league are still in contention for a postseason berth.

While the Colonels will need UCA to lose in order to catch them in the standings, Nicholls solidified its positioning for a first-round bye after defeating McNeese 76-66 last Saturday. The Colonels and Cowgirls headed into the game tied in the standing at 8-5, but Nicholls pushed McNeese out of the top four with the win.

Emani White continued her sensational sophomore campaign by matching her career-high with 33 points last Saturday. White, who leads the Southland in scoring at 19.2 points, needs only 29 points to tie the program single-season record for points scored (510), set by Katherine Plummer in the 2007-08 season. White is also threatening the Colonels' single-season record for points per game (Realia Davis, 19.1 ppg, 1986-87).

Abilene Christian (15-11) is looking to play the role of spoilers, as the Wildcats are not eligible for postseason play due to their transition to Division I.  The Wildcats have a 5-5 record in conference, but all five wins came against the bottom five teams in the standings.

The Wildcats live and die by the 3-pointer, leading the Southland with 9.6 3-pointers made per game. ACU has shot 759 from behind the arc, with Lamar having the second-most in the league with 597. Abilene has five players with at least 20 made 3-pointers, including three with 57 or more.

ACU also leads the SLC in scoring, averaging 75.3 points per game. Renata  Marquez heads the attack with 14.4 points per game, and three others – Whitney West (11.9), Alexis Mason (11.8) and Suzzy Dimba (11.5) - are averaging double figures

Thursday's contest will be the first meeting against ACU. On Saturday, Nicholls will host Incarnate Word for Senior Day and will honor seniors KK Babin and Jasmine Scott before the game.