THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team returns home looking to bounce back from its first loss since mid-December, taking on the HBU Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 12 in Stopher Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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The Colonels are 5-0 on their home court this season, highlighted by two double-digit wins to start Southland Conference play last week. In the opener, Nicholls poured in 97 points against Northwestern State, which was the most in an SLC game for the Red and Gray in school history. They followed up with a 24-point win over UIW.
But on Wednesday, Nicholls saw its three-game winning streak come to an end with a 70-62 loss at Stephen F. Austin. The Colonels had shot over 50 percent in all three wins before making just 37.7 percent against the Ladyjacks. Nicholls also struggled from behind the 3-point line, misfiring on 13 of 17 attempts for their second-lowest percentage of the season.
In the loss, Cassidy Barrios recorded her 10th double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and added five steals. The Southland's leading scorer (20.4 ppg) and rebounder (10.9), Barrios also blocked three shots to tie the career record of 107, held by Alisha Allen.
Barrios leads Nicholls in its three conference games with 19.0 point per game average. A total of four Colonels are averaging double figures in Southland play so far, with Airi Hamilton adding 15.0 on an impressive 68 percent from the field. Chrystal Ezechukwu is over 60 percent as well for a 12.3 ppg average and has been relentless on the offensive glass with 11 rebounds.
Tykeria Williams rounds out the leading scorers in conference with 12.0 ppg. At SFA, the junior sank three 3-pointers in a season-high 31 minutes.
HBU heads to Thibodaux well-rested after taking Wednesday off following its first conference win last Saturday over New Orleans, 83-74. The Huskies started league play with a double-digit loss to defending regular-season champ Lamar.
HBU went 5-5 in nonconference, capped by a 68-60 over ULM for its lone Division I victory before Southland play. HBU has four players averaging between 12 and 10 points, led by Amanda Johnson's 11.9. In the two meetings last season, Johnson led the Huskies with 13.5 points per game.
Nicholls and HBU will be meeting for the eighth time, with Nicholls holding a 5-2 edge. The Colonels have won the last three matchups, including sweeping the series in 2018.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will take on rival McNeese in Stopher Gym Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
TICKET INFO
Get your season or single-game tickets now by calling 985-448-4790 or visiting nichollstickets.com. For the latest news on Nicholls women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.
