THIBODAUX, La. – Although the Nicholls State University women's basketball team had already secured a berth in next week's Southland Conference Tournament, the Colonels ended the regular season on a high note by sending their seniors out with a 79-69 victory over rival New Orleans Saturday at Stopher Gym.
 
With the win, Nicholls claimed the No. 7 seed as they head to Katy, Texas for the sixth straight season. The Red and Gray will take on No. 6 McNeese Thursday, March 9 at the Merrell Center.
 
Senior Emani White led six Colonels (10-19, 7-11 SLC) in double figures, scoring 19 points in her Stopher finale. Classmates Taylor Morrison had 13 points and Hope Pawlowski finished with 10.
 
The balanced scoring was able to negate a 38-point effort by UNO's Randi Brown. The Privateers looked well on their way to a victory after leading 56-48 through three quarters, but Nicholls opened the fourth on a 21-5 run and never looked back.
 
Nicholls outscored New Orleans (14-14, 9-9 SLC) 31-13 in the fourth, shooting a blistering 62.5 percent compared to a 25 percent clip by the visitors. Nicholls was able to respond from a rough third quarter where they made just 6-of-21.
 
Joining the senior trio in double figures were Tykeria Williams with 12 points and Cassidy Barrios added 10.
 
UP NEXT
Nicholls will take on McNeese Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament. Tipoff at the Leonard E. Merrell Center is schedule for 1:30 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3.