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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will look for its fifth consecutive victory over in-state rival McNeese State as the Colonels and Cowgirls square off on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Stopher Gym.
 
Nicholls (7-13, 5-5 SLC) is coming off its third loss in the last four games, putting head coach DoBee Plaisance's milestone on hold. Plaisance is currently tied on the program's all-time wins list with 89 victories in just seven-plus seasons.
 
The Colonels had an opportunity to give Plaisance the record in their last outing, but made baskets were hard to come by Wednesday night against UIW. Nicholls shot just 35 percent from the field and a season-low 47 percent at the free throw line in the 63-61 loss to UIW.

Nicholls is at 39 percent from the field on the season, while the opposition is making 42 percent of its shots. The Colonels are averaging 62.5 points and giving up 67.3 per game.

LiAnn McCarthy leads the team in scoring overall, averaging 12.8 points. In conference play, McCarthy has been one of the league's top scorers at 17.0 points per game. Cassidy Barrios has continued her solid freshman campaign, ranking second on the Colonels in scoring at 10.4.

McNeese (15-7, 7-3 SLC), which has won four straight games, has dominated the all-time series against Nicholls, 53-18, however, the Colonels have swept the last two season series for a four-game winning streak. Nicholls also took the two regular season matchups in 2013, but the Cowgirls bested the Colonels in the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Cowgirls are led by point guard Jalyn Johnson, who is averaging 15.6 points and 5.5 assists. Johnson is coming off a player of the week award after she averaged an astounding 30.5 points and 9.5 assists in the McNeese's two wins.

As a team, the Cowgirls are almost even in points, scoring 69.9 per game while allowing 70.1. They are also shooting under 40 percent from the field, but are 17th in the nation in free throw percentage at 75.7. A big reason for their success is Johnson, who is second in the NCAA at 91.2 percent.

Following the matchup against McNeese, Nicholls will have the week off before returning to the court next Saturday at Southeastern Louisiana.