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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will close out its non-conference slate with a pair of home games, starting Friday (Dec. 18) against Jacksonville State. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
Nicholls has dropped its last three contests and enters the matchup with Jacksonville State (4-6) with a 2-6 record on the year. JSU brings a two-game winning streak to Thibodaux after wins over Tuskegee and Savannah State. The meeting between the Colonels and Gamecocks will be the first in the programs' history.
 
For the first time at home, Nicholls will be at full strength as all three players who have missed games this season with injuries will suit up for the Red and Gray. In the loss to ULM, junior Taylor Morrison made her season debut after missing the first seven games. LiAnn McCarthy returned earlier in the season after missing two contests, and Tia Charles made her comeback on Dec. 5.
 
Nicholls has struggled both offensively and defensively in its three-game skid as the team has shot under 40 percent in each contest and has scored less than 60 points. On defense, the opposition is shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor and is averaging 77 points per game.
 
The Colonels are averaging 60 points for the season and have three players averaging double figures. Tia Charles is at 13.5 points after two games, Hope Pawlowski is at 11.0 and Cassidy Barrios is averaging 10.1. Barrios and Pawlowski both reached double figures against ULM, led by Barrios' career-high 25 points. After eight games, Barrios leads the team with a 50 percent field goal percentage and is 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range.
 
Jacksonville State has been involved in low scoring affairs this season as the Gamecocks average 56.9 points and allow 58.3. In the last two contests, JSU surrendered just 47 and 35 points in its victories.
 
Gretchen Morrison and Briana Benson head the scoring for Jacksonville State as they average 10.8 and 10.6 points, respectively. The duo relies heavily on the 3-point shot as 76 of Morrison's 97 field goal attempts have come behind the arc, while Benson has shot 71 3-pointers out of 114 total attempts. Morrison has 29 made 3s at 38.2 percent and Benson has 17 at 23.9.
 
Nicholls and JSU have had one common opponent, Samford, with both teams falling to the Bulldogs. The Colonels were handed a 45-43 loss, while Jacksonville State was defeated 50-39.
 
Following Friday night's game, the Colonels will have the Holiday Break off before closing out 2015 against Grambling State on Dec. 29. For tickets, please visit geauxcolonels.com or call the ticket office at 985-448-4970.