THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will welcome one of the Southland Conference favorites for the second-straight contest as the Colonels take on Central Arkansas Saturday at Stopher Gym.
 
GAMEDAY INFO
Nicholls (8-15, 5-7 SLC) vs. Central Arkansas (18-4, 10-2 SLC)
Saturday, Feb. 11 – 1 p.m.
Thibodaux, Louisiana – Stopher Gym
LIVE STATS  l  VIDEO
 
STORYLINES
- The Colonels nearly took down Stephen F. Austin in their last home game Wednesday, falling to the Ladyjacks, 81-77. Nicholls led at halftime before a huge run by SFA gave the 'Jacks a 17-point lead. Despite the large deficit, the Colonels used a 12-0 run in the final four minutes to make It a three-point game, but were unable to complete the comeback.
- Senior Hope Pawlowski scored 25 points against SFA, giving the Orlando native a new career high. Pawlowski connected on 10-of-18 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range, surpassing her 24 points that she scored in the win over HBU.
- The loss put Nicholls at 5-7 in league play and in a tie for eighth place. The Colonels are two games ahead of HBU for the final spot in next month's Southland Conference Tournament. Nicholls is looking to extend its program record of five straight appearances.
- With her 11 points against SFA, senior Emani White now has 1,295 career points. She is looking to become only the fifth play in program history to score 1,300 points.
- One milestone that occurred during the recent road swing was another one by head coach DoBee Plaisance. In her ninth season, Plaisance secured her 100th win at Nicholls after the Colonels defeated Southeastern Louisiana Feb. 1, 76-60. Plaisance became the program's all-time leader in wins last season, surpassing Ben Abadie's 89.
 
NOTABLE STATS
- Nicholls has made at least one 3-pointer in 244 consecutive games, dating back to the 2008-09 season. The last time the Colonels failed to make one from downtown was on Valentine's Day in 2009 at Southeastern Louisiana where Nicholls was 0-for-8 behind the arc.
- Nicholls ranks in the 10 top of the NCAA in three categories – 2nd in steals (13.1), 8th in turnover margin (plus-7.2), and 10th in free-throw percentage (78.1).
 
SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS
- UCA heads to Thibodaux in a tie for first place in the Southland standings with Lamar at 10-2.
- The Sugar Bears are coming off an 80-70 victory over defending champion Abilene Christian. The win was UCA's ninth in a row after a 1-2 start in league play.
- UCA has been known for its stifling defense and it's no different this season as the Sugar Bears rank sixth in the NCAA in points allowed at 53.5 per game. UCA has given up less than 50 points 10 times this season, highlighted by a season-low 31 points to Crowley's Ridge.
- UCA is led on offense by Maggie Proffitt and Kierra Jordan, who are each averaging over 14 points per game.
- UCA leads the all-time series, 13-7, after winning the last two matchups.
 
UP NEXT
Nicholls will hit the road for its next two contests, taking on McNeese (Feb. 18) and UIW (Feb. 22). The next home game is Saturday, Feb. 25 against Southeastern Louisiana.