THIBODAUX, La. – Seniors Shay Arnick, Syleida Ellis, JonMarie Guillory and Jenny Nash will make their final appearance at Stopher Gym on Thursday evening as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team hosts Central Arkansas at 5 p.m. on Senior Day in a crucial Southland Conference matchup.
 
The game can be listened to live on KNSU 91.5 FM, with coverage scheduled to begin 10 minutes prior to tipoff. Live stats and video will also be available on geauxcolonels.com. For fans coming to the game, in conjunction with the University-wide "Nicholls Can" project, free admission will be given to anyone who brings two canned goods.
 
With just two games remaining in the regular season, Nicholls (15-12, 11-5 SLC) is jockeying for position in next week's Southland Conference Tournament. Currently sitting in third, the Colonels could claim the No. 2 seed by going 2-0 in their final two games and would need Lamar to lose its final contest. With two losses, Nicholls could slip to as low as a No. 6 seed. The top two seeds will earn double byes while No. 3 and 4 will have one bye.  
 
Following a disappointing loss on Thursday at New Orleans, the Colonels looked to be headed for a third consecutive loss after the first half at McNeese State on Saturday. However, Nicholls used a 13-0 run to gain the lead over the Cowgirls and the Colonels went on to earn a 73-68 victory. Jenny Nash scored 23 points to lead the way, combining for a total of 49 points in the Colonels' two wins over McNeese this season.
 
Nash has statistically been the team's most valuable player this season, leading Nicholls in scoring (14. 1 points per game), rebounding (6.0), assists (3.0) and blocks (23). In the Southland, Nash ranks seventh in scoring, first in 3-pointers made (2.7) and 3-point percentage (.407), ninth in steals (2.1) and blocks (0.9), 12th in assists and 20th in rebounds. Her 3-point shooting also ranks among the best in the nation as she is 30th in the NCAA in 3-pointers made per game and 3-point percentage.
 
In conference play, Arnick is second on the team in scoring at 10.0 points and she is followed by freshman Tia Charles (9.9) and junior Emani White (9.7). The trio played a huge role in the Colonels' 75-72 overtime victory at Central Arkansas (17-11, 10-6 SLC) on Jan. 24. Arnick scored a career-high 18 points in the win while Charles, who had 15 points, and White combined for 11 points in overtime. The win was the first of the Colonels' program-record seven-game winning streak.
 
Since the overtime loss to Nicholls, Central Arkansas has won seven of its last nine contests. The Sugar Bears have won three in a row, defeating Sam Houston State twice before a 16-point win against Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday.
 
UCA's defense has been the main reason for the Sugar Bears' success this season. Heading into the final week of play, UCA leads the Southland in scoring defense (56.7 ppg) and is third in field goal percentage defense (.386) and 3-point defense (.302). Over the last nine games, the Sugar Bears have held the opposition to less than 60 points seven times.
 
UCA has three players scoring in double figures, led by Maggie Proffitt with 13.9 ppg. Proffitt has proved to be one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, ranking third with 2.4 made per game and fourth in percentage (.353). Joining Proffitt in double figures are Kendra Watts (11.7 ppg) and Brianna Mullins (11.3).
 
Nicholls has won the last three matchups with UCA, but still trails in the all-time series, 11-6.
 
Before the game, the program will recognize the 2015 senior class, which is the winningest class in team history. Nash headlines the group as she ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list, sixth in rebounding and fifth in steals. Arnick has started 15 games as a senior after joining the team last season from the junior college ranks. Ellis and Guillory have lettered all four years and have been key reserves for head coach DoBee Plaisance.
 
Following Thursday's game, Nicholls will close out the regular season on Saturday, March 7, at Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff at the University Center is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.