THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team hung close with Stephen F. Austin, trailing by just two points after the first half, but the visiting Ladyjacks dominated the final 20 minutes to hand the Colonels an 89-67 loss on Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
Nicholls has dropped three in a row, falling to 8-16 overall and 6-8 in Southland play. The 22-point deficit was the largest for the Colonels at home in conference since its 2013 opener. SFA captured its eighth consecutive victory, improving to 15-10 and 9-5.
 
The team played at a frantic pace throughout the game, resulting in a combined 44 turnovers. But SFA was the beneficiary of the high tempo as they outscored Nicholls by nine on points off turnovers and had a 20-6 advantage in fast break points.
 
Nicholls trailed by one after the first quarter and went into the locker room down 39-37. But SFA opened the third period with an 11-0 run and never looked back. The Ladyjacks' lead did not shrink to less than 11 the rest of the way as they finished the second half outscoring Nicholls, 50-30.
 
Four Colonels reached double figures in scoring, led by Hope Pawlowski with 14 off the bench. Cassidy Barrios had 13 points, Tia Charles added 12 and Marina Lilly tallied her fifth career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Nicholls shot just 32 percent from the field in the loss, but connected on nine 3-pointers. Barrios finished with three, while Charles, Taylor Morrison (8 points, 3 assists) and Pawlowski had two each.
 
SFA was led by Taylor Ross with 21 points, six assists and six steals. The Ladyjacks shot 46 percent from the field and 16-of-20 at the free throw line.
 
Nicholls will host rival New Orleans on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. for their annual Stuff Stopher game. The contest will also serve as the Colonels' Pink Game in part with Play 4 Kay. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness.