RUSTON, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team led by four points after the first quarter at Louisiana Tech, but the Lady Techsters' size proved to be too much to overcome as the Colonels dropped a 68-52 decision Saturday afternoon at the Thomas Assembly Center.
 
With the loss, Nicholls fell to 3-5 on the season and 1-18 in the all-time series against LA Tech (5-3).
 
Starting five guards, the Colonels relied heavily on 3-pointers, launching 42 shots from behind the arc. Nicholls connected on 11, but shot just 25.7 percent from the field for the day. The size advantage allowed LA Tech to dominate inside, outrebounding the Colonels by 30 and posting a 34-10 advantage in points in the paint.
 
Emani White led the Colonels with 16 points, but was just 6-of-22 from the field and 4-of-14 from long range. Tykeria Williams (12 points) and Taylor Morrison (10) also finished in double figures, but combined to shoot 7-of-28. Cassidy Barrios had a team-high 10 rebounds and added seven assists and four steals.
 
Defensively, the Colonels were able to use the guard-oriented lineup to continue to cause problems for opposing offenses. Nicholls headed into the matchup leading the NCAA in steals with 14.9 per game and finished the day with 18 steals off of 30 turnovers.
 
In the first quarter, Nicholls connected on four 3-pointers for an 18-14 lead. Williams knocked down two in the opening period, while Barrios and White had one each. White was fouled on a made layup with a minute remaining to give Nicholls its largest lead at 18-12, but LA Tech scored to cut the deficit to four.
 
The Colonels went ice cold over the next two periods, making just three field goals in each quarter. Louisiana Tech outscored Nicholls, 20-8, in the second as White added two more 3-pointers, but the Lady Techsters headed into the locker room with a 34-26 lead.
 
In the third, LA Tech extended its lead to 49-37 despite 11 turnovers. White made a layup to make it a five-point game midway through, but the home team responded with a 6-0 run to push the lead back to double digits.
 
LA Tech's lead grew to 14 points early in the fourth before Nicholls came back with 3-pointers from Morrison and White to make it 51-43 with eight minutes to go. The Colonels hung around for the remainder of the quarter, but were unable to get any closer.
 
LA Tech had five players finish in double figures, led by 17 from Rochelle Vasquez. The Lady Techsters shot 46 percent in the win, with all but 11 shots coming from inside the arc.
 
The Colonels will return home for their next game, playing host to Troy University on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m.