NEW ORLEANS –   The Nicholls State University women's basketball team received 16 points off the bench from both Emani White and Taylor Morrison, but the Colonels shot just 34 percent as a team as they suffered a second consecutive loss, falling 68-63 at New Orleans on Thursday night at Lakefront Arena.
 
With the setback, Nicholls (14-12, 10-5 SLC) sees its five-game winning streak in the series over New Orleans (5-19, 3-12 SLC) come to an end and it also puts a regular season championship virtually out of reach. The Colonels trail Stephen F. Austin by three games with only three contests remaining on the schedule.
 
New Orleans native Emani White sparked Nicholls in the first half, scoring 13 of her 16 points before the break. Morrison carried the Colonels in the second half with 11 points, fueled by three huge 3-pointers that gave Nicholls the momentum. But the Colonels were unable to slow down the Privateers on offense, especially Randi Brown who had a game-high 27 points. Brown made 11 of 19 from the field as New Orleans shot 43 percent from the field.
 
Nicholls, which found itself behind at the break, 34-32, fell even further behind after just three minutes into the second period as UNO took a 44-37 lead. But Morrison would hit three 3-points during a five minute stretch to help Nicholls gain a 57-55 advantage with seven minutes to go.
 
Under the four-minute mark, Ekiya Gray broke free for a layup to give Nicholls a 61-58 lead. However, UNO's Danielle Davis, who had 12 points, answered with a free throw before draining a 3-pointer 20 seconds later to put the Privateers up 62-61.
 
Brown then extended the lead to 64-61 with a jumper, and after Marina Lilly scored inside at the 1:28 mark, Brown hit another jumper to put the lead back to three with 1:07 remaining. On the Colonels' next two possessions, they would come up empty on 3-point attempts and UNO added two free throws down the stretch to make the final.
 
Nicholls made 21 of 62 from the field and 9 of 31 from 3-point range. The Colonels' leading scorer heading into the game, Jenny Nash, was held to just a pair of free throws but added four steals and four assists. New Orleans native Tia Charles added nine points for the Colonels.
 
The Colonels will return to action on Saturday as they head to Lake Charles to take on McNeese State. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.