Nicholls at Northwestern State l Jan. 12 @ 5:30 p.m. l Live Stats l Video
Nicholls at Stephen F. Austin l Jan. 14 @ 3:30 p.m. l Live Stats l Video (ESPN3)
THIBODAUX, La. – Wins have historically been tough to come by at Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin for the Nicholls State University women's basketball team, but the Colonels will look change their fortune by extending their winning streak in league play. Nicholls will close out its three-game road swing Thursday (Jan. 12) at NSU before taking on the Ladyjacks Saturday (Jan. 14)
After falling in the Southland opener, Nicholls (5-9, 2-1 SLC) reeled off two straight wins – at home against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and on the road at Sam Houston State – to give itself a winning record in the SLC. However, if the Colonels hope to continue their strong start, they need to find a way to change history.
In 61 combined games at NSU and SFA, the Colonels have only left the venues with a total of four victories – two against each team. But luckily for the Colonels, three of the four victories have been under ninth-year head coach
DoBee Plaisance, who is three wins away from reaching 100 for her career at Nicholls.
Plaisance's Colonels have adjusted to their lack of size due to injuries, using the 3-point shot and defensive pressure to their advantage. In the last two games, Nicholls drained a total of 22 3-pointers and caused 39 turnovers to lift them to a pair of victories. The Colonels lead the Southland and rank 12th in the NCAA in 3s made per game (8.9) and also rank among the nation's best in steals (3rd/13.5), turnover margin (3rd/plus-9.6) and turnovers forced (7th/23.0).
The starting five continues to play heavy minutes, led by senior
Taylor Morrison with a league-leading 36.7 per game. Morrison ranks third on the team with 24 made 3-pointers and has had to play at the post on offense and defense. She is fifth in scoring at 9.7 points, with
Cassidy Barrios leading the team at 14.4 points.
Northwestern State (7-8) has four conference games under its belt, posting a 1-3 record under first-year head coach Jordan Dupuy. The Lady Demons fell at home to McNeese to open their SLC schedule and sandwiched a road win at UIW in between losses at Central Arkansas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Despite their struggles early on in league play, NSU is 6-1 at home this season with wins over Jackson State and ULM. The Colonels also defeated both JSU and ULM at home.
NSU is paced by Beatrice Attura who is second in the Southland in scoring at 18.6 points per game. In last season's 66-62 win by NSU, Attura scored 14 points and dished out four assists.
Stephen F. Austin is off to a strong start, going 3-0 in the SLC and 12-2 on the season. The Ladyjacks lost two of their first three games before going on an 11-game winning streak. SFA has also been stellar at home, posting a perfect 7-0 mark.
The Ladyjacks are led by player of the year candidate Taylor Ross. A two-time All-Southland selection, Ross ended the week ranked fourth in the SLC in scoring (17.6) and assists (4.1) and was sixth in steals (2.4). Brentley Branch and Stevi Parker are also scoring in double figures at 13.3 and 10.5, respectively.
For the latest news on Nicholls women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.
