THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will take on Northwestern State for its final home game of the season Wednesday, Feb. 28, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. in Stopher Gymnasium.
Before the game, Nicholls (14-13, 9-7 SLC) will honor its two-member senior class –
Tia Charles and
Marina Lilly. The duo is looking to make their fourth postseason appearance as the Colonels have reached the Southland Conference Tournament six straight times. A win over Northwestern State (7-20, 2-14 SLC) would secure a spot in the tournament, as would a loss by either Southeastern Louisiana or McNeese.
After a four-game losing streak, the postseason streak seemed to be in jeopardy; however, the Colonels have been playing their best basketball of the season as of late, winning six of their last seven. The stretch started with a come-from-behind victory at New Orleans on Feb. 3, and the Colonels' last win was against the Privateers as well in a dominating 72-48 win at home Saturday. Nicholls held the visitors scoreless over the first seven minutes of the game to build a 16-0 lead and never looked back.
Sophomore
Tykeria Williams was a significant factor in the fast start, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and accounted for half of the 16 points. Williams, who is the Colonels' second-leading scorer at 13.0 points per game, had two single-digit scoring efforts before breaking out of the mini-slump with 19 points against UNO. She was 7 of 15 from the field and made 3 of 4 3-pointers.
Junior guard
Cassidy Barrios also provided a large chunk of the scoring, finishing with a game-high 20 points. She also contributed in nearly every facet of the game, adding eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks. Barrios was recognized for her effort by being named Southland Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.
In the last eight games, Nicholls is holding teams to 37 percent from the field, .289 from 3-point range and 55 points per game. In comparison, the defense is allowing 64 points a game on the season, 41 percent shooting and 31 percent from behind the arc. Along with the improved defense, Nicholls has a plus-3.6 margin on the boards, which is a six-rebound improvement from its overall number.
Northwestern State comes to Thibodaux with hopes of ending a tough year on a high note. The Lady Demons are winless in February and have struggled on the road, posting a 1-11 record. Both of their conference wins were in Natchitoches, with the last being on Jan. 31 against New Orleans.
Libba Gilliam leads NSU in scoring and rebounding in conference play, averaging 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. Nautica Grant is second on the squad at 10.3 points.
The Colonels won the earlier matchup this season, 79-63, in the teams' conference opener. Barrios poured in 23 points and had 13 rebounds, while Williams and
Marina Lilly combined for 25 points. Despite the win, the Colonels still trail by a large margin in the series, 66-11.
UP NEXT
The Colonels close out the regular season at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, March 3. Tipoff in Hammond is scheduled for 2 p.m.
