THIBODAUX, La.  – Despite a pair of 20-point efforts from Hope Pawlowski and Cassidy Barrios, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought contest against reigning Southland champion Abilene Christian, 89-73, Wednesday night at Stopher Gym.
 
Pawlowski matched her career-high of 23 points by knocking down 7 of 11 from the field, two 3-pointers and converted all seven free throw attempts. Barrios was also perfect from the line, making 8 of 8 to finish with 21 points.
 
Tykeria Williams also scored in double figures, netting all 11 of her points in the first half as Nicholls (5-12, 2-4 SLC) headed into the break with a 39-38 lead over ACU (11-7, 5-1 SLC). Nicholls shot 50 percent in the opening half, but went ice cold in the third quarter. Emani White hit a 3-pointer out of the gate, but the Red and Gray did not make another field goal until the 2:28 mark which put the score at 56-46, ACU.
 
Nicholls trailed by 11 in the fourth before Barrios scored five consecutive points to make it a two possession game, 72-66, with 5:40 remaining. But ACU countered with a pair of 3-point plays, the first on a basket-and-one by Suzzy Dimba (19 points) and the second came on an Alexis Mason 3-ball. Mason hit 6 of 12 from behind the arc to finish with a game-high 24 points.
 
Pawlowski came off the bench for the Colonels and provided a spark on defense as well, tallying seven of Nicholls' 13 steals. The Colonels forced ACU into 17 miscues but held just a 17-14 advantage in points off of turnovers.
 
The Wildcats exploited Nicholls' five-guard lineup by hammering the boards for a 43-19 advantage. ACU misfired on 26 shots for the game (54.4 percent) and collected an astounding 17 offensive rebounds. They were able to convert the rebounds into points as they outscored Nicholls 24-0 in second-chance opportunities.
 
The Colonels negated the height disadvantage in the first quarter by not allowing any chances for rebounds as they hit 8 of 12 from the field. Nicholls was hot from long range, making 4 of 6 in the opening stanza, but cooled off in the second at 0-for-4.
 
Nicholls still led by one at the half following a buzzer-beating layup by ACU's Sara Williamson; however, the Wildcats dominated the third by outscoring the home team, 25-13.
 
Nicholls finished 9 of 22 from 3-point range and missed just once at the free throw line in 19 attempts.
 
Sydney Shelstead and Lizzy Dimba both turned in double-doubles for ACU, while Suzzy finished two rebounds shy of one and added six assists.
 
Nicholls will continue its home stand Saturday, Jan. 21 against Lamar. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
For the latest news on Nicholls women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.