THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will take on Stephen F. Austin Wednesday night for its annual Stuff Stopher Game, with hopes on securing a rare win in the series. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
GAMEDAY INFO
Nicholls (8-14, 5-6 SLC) vs. Stephen F. Austin (17-4, 8-2 SLC)
Wednesday, Feb. 8 – 6 p.m.
Thibodaux, Louisiana – Stopher Gym
LIVE STATS  l  VIDEO
 
STORYLINES
- Following a 1-2 road trip, the Colonels return home to Thibodaux for their annual Stuff Stopher game. The Stuff Stopher game has been an extreme success over the past few years as students and fans have filled the gym to create an electric atmosphere.
- Nicholls almost came home with a winning record in its three-game road swing, but was outlasted in the final minutes at rival New Orleans. Junior guard and NOLA native Tia Charles scored a career-high 25 points in the loss, which put the Colonels' road record at 3-10.
- One milestone that occurred during the 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. Plaisance will be recognized before the game for her coaching accomplishment.
- Wins against the Lumberjacks have been few and far between for the Colonels as SFA holds a commanding 42-6 lead in the all-time series. However, four of the wins have come under Coach Plaisance, including two of the last three matchups at home.
 
NOTABLE STATS
- Tia Charles' career night of 25 points was fueled by six 3-pointers, which matched her career best for 3s from her outing at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earlier this season.
- The Colonels' leading scorer on the season, sophomore Cassidy Barrios, scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half against New Orleans. Barrios heads into the matchup ranked in the top 10 of the Southland in five categories - 8th in scoring (15.2 ppg), 7th in rebounding (7.2), 9th in field goal percentage (.475), 3rd in free-throw percentage (.832) and 8th in steals (2.1).
- Nicholls has made at least one 3-pointer in 243 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-7.4), seventh in free-throw percentage (78.2).
 
SCOUTING THE LADYJACKS
- SFA comes to Thibodaux with a No. 22 ranking in the College Insider Mid-Major poll.
- The Ladyjacks fell at Northwestern State on the road in overtime in their last outing, dropping them to fourth place in the Southland standings. At 8-2, SFA is a half game behind Central Arkansas and Lamar for second place, and a game behind Abilene Christian for first.
- The 'Jacks are led by player of the year candidate Taylor Ross, who is third in the league in scoring at 18.3 points per game. Ross also ranks fifth in the league in field goal percentage (.527), is tied for second in assists (5.1) and is fifth in steals (2.4).
 
UP NEXT
Nicholls will host Central Arkansas on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. It will be the lone home game for two weeks as the Colonels hit the road for their next two contests.