VIDEO STREAM |
LIVE STATS |
RADIO
THIBODAUX, La. – The 2017-18 Nicholls State University women's basketball team will open its season with a matchup against SMU Friday, Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. in Moody Coliseum.
A live stream will be available for the contest via SMU's PonyUp TV. Live stats and a radio broadcast will be provided as well.
The Colonels are coming off a 10-20 season and are projected to finish ninth in the Southland Conference. Nicholls lost only four letterwinners from last season's team; however, the three seniors –
Emani White,
Taylor Morrison and
Hope Pawlowski – combined for nearly half of the Colonels' offense in 2016-17.
A Third Team All-Southland selection guard,
Cassidy Barrios leads the returnees for the Red and Gray. Heading into her junior season, Barrios has started every game for the Colonels and has been one of the most versatile players in the SLC. Along with heading the Colonel offense as a sophomore with 15.4 points per game, Barrios ranked among the leaders in the Southland in rebounding (7.3), assists (83) and steals (65).
Sophomore guard Tykeria Williams and senior
Tia Charles round out the top scorers from last season. Williams posted a strong rookie campaign with 10.9 points per game and ranked second in the SLC in steals (2.8) while posting the third-best 3-point percentage (.385-55/143). Charles battled through injuries all season to average 7.3 points in 23 games played.
Last season's team was riddled with injuries with a total of four players sitting out the year. Headlining the group is senior center
Marina Lilly, who averaged 8.0 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds in 2015-16. Also returning after missing last season are forwards
Airi Hamilton and Paige Williams, and center Korie Leary.
Sophomores
Keeona Brown and
Bree Wilson round out the letterwinners. Both played in nearly every game last season, averaging eight minutes per contest.
SMU went 19-15 last year, helped by an impressive 13-3 mark at home. The Mustangs welcome back four starters, highlighted by Alicia Froling. A preseason all-American Athletic Conference honoree, Froling averaged 13.3 points and an AAC-high 10.0 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Colonels will open their home slate against Spring Hill College on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Tipoff at Stopher Gymnasium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
