THIBODAUX, La. – Senior Jenny Nash scored 17 points and freshman Tia Charles added 16 to lead the Nicholls State University women's basketball team on offense, but it was the Colonels' defense that stole the show on Wednesday night against Northwestern State as Nicholls held the visitors to 26 percent shooting to extend their program-record winning streak to seven games with a 59-40 victory at Stopher Gym.
 
With the win, Nicholls (14-10, 10-3 SLC) snapped a three-game skid in the series against the Lady Demons (13-12, 8-6 SLC) and sets up a major showdown on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin. Despite the seven-game winning streak, the Colonels have been struck in third place in the Southland Conference standings, chasing Lamar and SFA, which both have only two conference losses and play Thursday night for sole possession of first.
 
But before taking on the Ladyjacks of SFA, the Colonels needed to take care of business on its home floor against rival Northwestern State, and they did just that.
 
The weather outside must have had some impact on the shooting as both teams struggled for points in the early going. Charles, who finished 7 of 17 from the field, was a one-person show on offense in the first half as she accounted for the Colonels' first 12 points, giving Nicholls a 12-9 lead at the 8:23 mark.
 
Hope Pawlowski scored a layup inside which started a 7-0 run for a 19-9 lead. It would be Pawlowski only basket of the game, but she contributed elsewhere with nine rebounds and six steals.
 
With three minutes remaining in the half, the Colonels closed out the period with three 3-pointers to head into the break up 30-13. Emani White, who had nine points off the bench, accounted for two of the 3-balls and Nash had the other. The Colonels shot 37 percent from the field for the game and made 10 of 27 3-pointers. It marked the third time this season that Nicholls has made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game, all which resulted in wins. Nash had five triples with Charles and White adding two each.
 
The second half was much of the same with Nicholls' lead swelling to 37-15 just three minutes in. Despite the Colonels going on a five-minute scoring drought, the matchup zone defense caused problems for NSU all night and they were never able to come closer than 14 the rest of the way.
 
The Colonels dominated the rebounding with a 49-33 advantage. Nash recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
NSU made just 15 of 58 from the floor and 1 of 16 from 3-point range. Keisha Lee scored 16 points for the Lady Demons, but Janelle Perez, who came in averaging 19.6 point in conference play, was held to four points on 2 of 13 from the field.