THIBODAUX, La. – Junior Taylor Morrison recorded her first career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and two other Colonels joined her in double figures in scoring, but the Nicholls State University women's basketball team connected on just 36 percent from the field and 47 percent at the free throw line as Nicholls was defeated by Incarnate Word, 63-61, Wednesday night at Stopher Gym.
 
The loss dropped Nicholls to 5-5 in league play and 7-13 overall. It also puts on hold head coach DoBee Plaisance's bid to become the program's all-time leader in victories. UIW improved to 6-12 overall and 3-6 in the Southland as the Cardinals earned their first win over Nicholls in five meetings.
 
Morrison was one of two Colonels to shoot over 50 percent from the field, finishing 6-of-9 overall and 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Her last 3-pointer came with 23 second to go in the game, which pulled Nicholls to within two at 60-58.
 
After a free throw by UIW, Nicholls had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Cassidy Barrios, who finished with 12 points, was tripped up going to the basket and was charged with a turnover. Two free throws by the Cardinals gave them a five-point lead with 10 seconds to go, and Hope Pawlowski sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Colonels to make the final.
 
Neither team was able to get anything going early, combining to make just 10-of-35 from the field in the first quarter. UIW held a 12-8 lead in the final minute before Morrison banked home a 3-ball at the buzzer. After a low-scoring second, Nicholls found itself trailing 27-25 at the break.
 
Things picked up in the third as both teams shot over 40 percent. UIW scored the period's first eight points to grab a double-digit lead, but a Barrios 3-pointer pulled Nicholls to a 38-37 deficit at the four-minute mark. Nicholls tied the game three times in the final minutes, but headed into the fourth trailing 45-44.
 
Marina Lilly, who had eight points on 4-of-7 shooting, hit a couple of buckets inside early in the fourth to help Nicholls to a 52-49 advantage with 5:07 to go. UIW regained the lead over the next two minutes with a 7-0 run, capped on a 3-pointer by Haley Frias.

LiAnn McCarthy trimmed it to 56-54 after a jumper with 1:05 remaining, but it would be as close as the Colonels would get the rest of the way.
 
Nicholls turned the ball over just 13 times and recorded 11 steals on 16 UIW turnovers. The Cardinals were led by Aricka Adams with 14 points, Brianna Williams scored 13 and Quincy Baker finished with 12.
 
Six of Morrison's 10 rebounds came on the offensive glass as Nicholls collected 19 to outscore UIW on second chance points, 14-7; however, it was not enough to make up for the free throw difference. Nicholls made just 7-of-15 at the line, while UIW hit 15-of-18 for an 83 percent clip.
 
Nicholls will host McNeese State on Saturday, Feb. 6 for a women's / men's doubleheader. Tipoff for the women is scheduled for 1 p.m.