PDF Box Score THIBODAUX, La. – Despite only three returning players from last season suiting up, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team had seven players reach double figures in scoring, led by a career-high 17 points from
Hope Pawlowski as the Colonels defeated SUNO, 98-65, in their season opener at Stopher Gym on Friday night.
With the injury bug hitting the Colonels early, Pawlowski,
Marina Lilly (11 points, seven rebounds) and
Jovana Mandic (11 points) were the only letterwinners to play Friday night as six freshmen logged significant minutes for Nicholls (1-0).
Sammi Deakin-Sharpe and
Airi Hamilton scored 15 points in their debut;
Karrington Brown added 11 and
Cassidy Barrios chipped in with 10.
Nicholls shot 56 percent from the field and never trailed SUNO (0-1), which dressed only seven players. The Colonels forced 35 turnovers, turning them into 30 points, and Nicholls attacked the rim the entire night with 56 points in the paint.
Nicholls raced out to a double digit lead in the first quarter and ended the period with a 26-14 lead. The first 10 minutes was a total team effort as eight different Colonels scored, led by five points from Deakin-Sharpe.
The second period was much of the same as the Lady Knights had 22 turnovers through the first 20 minutes. The full court pressure worked for head coach
DoBee Plaisance's squad, leading to several easy breakaway baskets for a 53-28 advantage at the break. Nicholls finished the night with 23 steals, getting six each from Pawlowski and Barrios.
The Colonels extended their lead to 73-46 after three quarters. In the fourth, Nicholls found its stroke from long range as the Colonels knocked down four of six 3-pointers in the period. Pawlowski drained two, finishing 3 of 3 from behind the arc, while Hamilton and Brown each made one. Nicholls had a chance to reach the century mark with 10 seconds remaining, but elected to run out the clock as they improved to 31-6 at home over the last three-plus seasons.
Nicholls had 19 assists in the win, paced by six from Hamilton. The Red and Gray also finished with an edge on the board, 38-27.
SUNO had two players score in double figures, led by a game-high 22 from Micah Brooks. With the loss, the Lady Knights fell to 0-7 all-time against the Colonels.
Nicholls will return to action at home on Tuesday, Nov. 17 against the Prairie View A&M Panthers. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting geauxcolonels.com or by calling the ticket office at 985-448-4790.
