THIBODAUX, La. – Four players scored in double figures for the Nicholls State University women's basketball team in its Southland Conference opener against UIW, but the Colonels were held to 29 percent shooting for the game as they were defeated, 78-52, Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
With the loss, Nicholls falls to 3-9 on the season and 0-1 in league play, while UIW upped its record to 3-9 and 1-1.
 
UIW led the entire duration of the game, jumping out to a 7-0 advantage. The Cardinals were up 20-11 after the first and outscored Nicholls in each quarter, highlighted by a 27-point fourth. Nicholls cut the deficit to five points in the second but were unable to come any close the rest of the way.
 
Hope Pawlowski led the way with 12 points and added five steals. Cassidy Barrios and Tia Charles scored 11 each, while Taylor Morrison finished with 10 points.
 
Nicholls shot 20-of-69 from the field and 6-of-29 from behind the arc. The Colonels had only nine turnovers in the loss, but were out rebounded, 47-22.
 
UIW connected on a blistering 61 percent from the field, highlighted by a 10-for-10 day from Cheyenne Berry who scored a game-high 22 points. Berry was one of three Cardinals to score at least 17 points and she added nine assists and seven rebounds.
 
Nicholls will return to action on Monday, Jan. 2 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the men's game to follow afterwards.
 
For the latest news on Colonel women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.