PDF Box HOUSTON, Texas – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team received a third consecutive double-double from
Marina Lilly, who had a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds, but Houston Baptist knocked down 10 3-pointers and never trailed Thursday night as the Colonels fell, 80-71, at Sharp Gym.
With the loss, Nicholls slipped to 3-9 overall and 1-1 in Southland play. HBU improved to 6-7 on the year, 1-2 in the SLC and evened the all-time series at 2 wins each.
Lilly, the reigning Southland Player of the Week, shot 8 of 10 from the field en route to a new career-high in points. She was one of four Colonels to reach double figures in scoring, joined by
LiAnn McCarthy (15 points),
Tia Charles (14) and
Cassidy Barrios (10). Barrios also chipped in with eight rebounds and tied Charles with a team-high three assists.
Nicholls shot 51 percent for the game, but fell into a huge hole after a disastrous second quarter. After trailing 21-20 at the end of the opening period, the Colonels managed only one field goal through the first eight minutes of the second as HBU outscored Nicholls 16-2. The Huskies headed into the locker room with a 39-26 lead.
HBU got four 3-pointers in the first half from Lisa Zderadicka, who finished with six triples and 22 points. But it was 10 Colonel miscues which led to 18-0 advantage in points off turnovers, mostly turning into easy buckets for the home team as they outscored Nicholls 16-2 in the paint.
Down but not out, Nicholls fought back in the third to trim the deficit to 43-37. The Colonels opened the third with an 11-4 spurt, helped by a 3-pointer from McCarthy. But HBU's Rachel Arthur, who had a game-high 24 points, answered with a basket-and-one before the Huskies pushed the lead back to double digits.
In the fourth, HBU's lead stayed around 10 points until they hit their 10th 3-pointer of the night with five minutes to go for a 72-55 advantage. The Colonels continued to fight until the final buzzer but were unable to pick up their first road win of the season.
Nicholls finished with 17 turnovers, resulting in 29 points for the Huskies. The Colonels made 17 of 21 free throws (81 percent) and connected on 4 of 11 3-pointers. HBU had 12 turnovers and held a 33-31 advantage on the boards.
Nicholls will return to action at home on Sunday, Jan. 10 against Abilene Christian. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 1 p.m. For tickets, please visit geauxcolonels.com.
