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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will head to Hattiesburg this weekend for two contests in the Lady Eagle Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Southern Miss.
 
Nicholls (1-2) will open up the tournament against Samford on Friday night (Nov. 27) at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Colonels will play either host Southern Miss or Mississippi Valley State, depending on Friday's results.
 
The Colonels look to snap a string of back-to-back losses after Tuesday's setback at New Mexico, where Nicholls was held to 43 points and shot just 30 percent from the field against the Lobos. Freshman Airi Hamilton led the offense with 11 points, and she is one of four players currently averaging double figures in scoring. Hope Pawlowski (11.3 ppg) leads the way, followed by Sammi Deakin-Sharpe (11.0), Cassidy Barrios (10.3) and Hamilton (10.0).
 
Although Nicholls had a forgettable performance against New Mexico, one highlight was the return of forward LiAnn McCarthy. After suffering two severe knee injuries which kept her sidelined for two-plus seasons, McCarthy came off the bench to play 20 minutes and made 3 of 7 3-pointers in her debut. The senior had last played in February of 2013.
 
After falling by 21 to ranked Mississippi State to start the season, Samford has reeled off four consecutive victories, including two against NCAA Division I opponents. While averaging just 61 points per game, led by Taylor Reece (9.6 ppg), the Bulldogs have lockdowned their opponents on defense by allowing just 48.2 points per contest. In three of its victories, Samford has surrendered less than 40 points to the opposition.
 
Saturday's opponent will be either Southern Miss (1-2) or Mississippi Valley State (0-4). Southern Miss is coming off an overtime loss at Chattanooga, 53-48. The Lady Eagles are averaging 51.7 points, while allowing 64.7 per game. USM has struggled shooting in its first three contests, going 31 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range. Jerontay Clemons has been Southern Miss' top scorer, averaging 16.5 points. Southern Miss defeated Nicholls last season in Thibodaux, 89-57, and leads the all-time series 14-2.
 
MVSU has started winless on the year, but all four losses have come against SEC schools. The Devilettes are averaging 43 points on offense and allow 98.3. Ashley Beals has been to top scorer for MVSU, pouring in 9.5 points per contest.