THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will open the 2015-16 season at home as the Colonels host SUNO Friday, Nov. 13 at Stopher Gym at 6 p.m.
 
Coming off a 17-win season and a program record 13 victories in conference, head coach DoBee Plaisance's squad will have a bit of a different look as they welcome seven newcomers, highlighted by six freshmen. Making their Stopher debut Friday night will be freshmen Cassidy Barrios, Karissa Black, Karrington Brown, Brenisha Coleman, Sammi Deakin-Sharpe, Airi Hamilton and sophomore Asia Petitte.
 
The veteran scoring leaders from last season's team are sophomore Tia Charles (9.0 ppg) and junior center Marina Lilly (6.5 ppg, 4.7 reb.).  The Colonels feature only two seniors, forward LiAnn McCarthy, who has battled back from back-to-back season-ending knee injuries, and center Jovana Mandic. Joining Lilly in the junior class are guards Taylor Morrison and Hope Pawlowski.
 
Although Nicholls has never lost to the Lady Knights, posting a 6-0 record, last season's home opener against SUNO turned out to be one of the highest scoring games of the 2014-15 campaign. Emani White scored a career-high 37 points, including a late gamewinning-basket, to lead Nicholls to a come-from-behind 87-84 victory.
 
Nicholls is 12-29 all-time in season openers and 2-5 under Coach Plaisance. All five of the Colonels' losses under Plaisance have come on the road against strong opponents, with both victories coming at home against SUNO.
 
The Colonels have been tough to beat at Stopher Gym over the past three seasons, compiling an impressive 30-6 record in Thibodaux since the start of the 2012 campaign. SUNO will mark the first of five home games for the Colonels before the end of 2015.
 
Tickets are available by visiting geauxcolonels.com or by calling the ticket office at 985-448-4790.