THIBODAUX, La. – After coming up short in the first of a two-game road trip, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team will look to climb above .500 in conference play as the Colonels take on Central Arkansas on Saturday (Jan. 24) at the Farris Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Nicholls (7-10, 3-3 SLC) and UCA (10-8, 3-3 SLC) will square off for the first of two meetings this season, with the Sugar Bears returning the trip on March 5 for Senior Day. Despite a two-game winning streak by the Colonels, UCA leads the all-time series, 11-5, including a 6-1 mark in Conway.
 
The Colonels are coming off a disappointing loss at conference-leading Northwestern State on Wednesday. Nicholls held the advantage for 27 of the 40 minutes against NSU, but the Lady Demons were able to gain a seven-point lead before fending off a late surge to stay atop the league standings. Nicholls outrebounded NSU, 43-37, marking the first time that the Colonels lost this season (6-1) when having the advantage on the boards.
 
While Emani White, who missed 11 games, continues to work herself into the lineup, senior Jenny Nash has carried the offense. On Thursday, Nash continued to prove to be one of the most lethal 3-point shooters in the league, knocking down 5-of-7 from behind the arc en route to a season-high 20 points. Nash, who is averaging 13.2 points, leads the conference with 2.9 made 3-pointers per contest after draining five in a game for the fourth time this season.
 
The Colonels, averaging 60.7 points per game, have also received some help in scoring from senior center Shay Arnick, who has started the last five games. As a starter, Arnick has reached double figures in scoring four times; averaging 12.0 points on 52 percent shooting while collecting 5.4 rebounds.
 
Central Arkansas snapped a three-game skid with a 53-46 win over last-place New Orleans on Wednesday. The Sugar Bears started out 2-0 in conference play before being blown out in their next three contests against Stephen F. Austin, Lamar and Houston Baptist.
 
UCA leads the league in scoring defense at 57.2 points per game, allowing nearly 10 less points than Nicholls (66.9), but also average only 57.2 points on offense. The Sugar Bears feature three players averaging double digit points – Maggie Proffitt (13.1 ppg), Kendara Watts (11.7) and Brianna Mullins (10.1).
 
Nicholls will return home for its next two contests, hosting New Orleans (Jan. 29) and Incarnate Word (Jan. 31).