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THIBODAUX, La. – Senior LiAnn McCarthy scored a season-high 26 points and freshman Cassidy Barrios added 20, but Central Arkansas used a 24-point third quarter to hand the Nicholls State University women's basketball team a 71-65 loss on Saturday evening at Stopher Gym.
 
Nicholls (6-11, 4-3 SLC) saw its three-game win streak come to an end, as well as its four-game streak against Central Arkansas. The Sugar Bears have won six straight, improving to 16-2 on the year and 6-1 in the Southland.
 
Against one of the nation's top defenses, McCarthy shot 50 percent from the field (9-of-18) and knocked down three 3-pointers. She scored 15 in the first half as Nicholls led 29-25 at the break, but UCA came out on fire in the third quarter as they outscored the Colonels 24-17.
 
The Sugar Bears shot 9-of-14 in the period, led by Maggie Proffitt who scored 13 of her team-high 18 points. Proffitt missed just one time in the quarter as UCA gained the lead and never looked back.
 
Central Arkansas took the lead midway through the third and Proffitt made a 3-pointer to put the visitors up 40-36. Nicholls was able to hang close for the rest of the quarter before heading into the fourth trailing 49-46.
 
With four minutes remaining in the contest, UCA hit back-to-back buckets from long range to extend its lead to 61-52. Barrios answered with two 3-balls to pull Nicholls within three at 61-58, but UCA got a huge 3-pointer on its next possession as Taylor Baudoin sank a shot from the top of the key as the shot clock expired with 2:14 to go.
 
Nicholls was forced the foul the rest of the way and never came closer than four points as UCA made 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to hold off the Colonels.
 
The Colonels shot 43 percent from the field but hit just 6-of-17 from behind the arc. Despite nine points from Tia Charles, Nicholls' bench was outscored by UCA, 23-13.
 
UCA turned the ball over only 10 times and had 15 assists on 23 made baskets. Baudoin finished with 14 points, as did Brianna Mullins, and Kendra Watts scored 10 off the bench.
 
Nicholls will return to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at New Orleans. Tipoff at Lakefront Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.