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THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team opens up 2018 and its home conference slate Wednesday, Jan. 3 against Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff against the Ladyjacks is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
The Colonels split their two games on the road to begin conference play, winning at Northwestern State before falling to UIW. Nicholls sits at 6-7 overall and looks to improve on their 2-2 record at home.
 
Last season, Nicholls was 5-4 in home Southland games. The team won its previous two league contests in Stopher Gym, closing out the 2016-17 season with double-digit wins over Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans. The Colonels averaged nearly 73 points in home conference games, helped by a remarkable 86.5 free throw percentage.
 
Free throw shooting hampered the Colonels in their two-point loss at UIW as they hit just 2 of 9 at the charity stripe. Despite the uncharacteristic showing, Nicholls is fourth in the Southland at 70.7 percent for the season. Leading the way is junior guard Cassidy Barrios, who had connected on 60 of 70 (.857).
 
Barrios recorded double-doubles in each of the first two conference games, giving her six for the season. She leads the Colonels with 14.9 points and 9.2 rebounds. Marina Lilly also had 10 rebounds at UIW for her first double-double of the season, and Airi Hamilton collected a career-high nine boards. The Colonels have done a much better job on the glass this season, trimming their rebound margin from -11.9 last year to -3.8.
 
Stephen F. Austin has played only one conference game, winning last Thursday against Southeastern Louisiana, 79-67. The Ladyjacks have a 9-3 record for the season, with their best win coming Dec. 2 at home in a 77-55 victory versus South Dakota.
 
SFA is led by forward Stevi Parker, who is averaging a double-double at 11.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. Chanell Hayes is second with 10.8 points and has made 14 3-pointers on the season. Imani Johnson (9.8 ppg) paced the SFA offense against Southeastern with a team-high 20 points on 5 of 10 from the field.
 
Winners of 17 Southland championships, the Ladyjacks have been the premier program of the league. SFA has a 44-6 advantage in the all-time series against Nicholls, including winning the last four. The Colonels and Ladyjacks met twice last season, with SFA earning the sweep after an 82-77 win in Thibodaux. But before the streak by the 'Jacks, the Colonels won four of six meetings.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels head back on the road for their next two games, facing HBU Saturday, Jan. 6. Tipoff at Sharp Gym is scheduled for 2 p.m.