THIBODAUX, La. – Following a sweep at home to start Southland Conference play, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team set itself up for a chance to make history as the Colonels take on league-leading Stephen F. Austin Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in William R. Johnson Coliseum.
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Despite the Colonels' recent success under 11th-year head coach DoBee Plaisance, the team has never won its first three Southland games since joining the league. Nicholls opened conference last week at home with double-digit wins over Northwestern State (97-86) and UIW (86-62).
Reigning Southland Player of the Year Cassidy Barrios won her SLC-best fourth player of the week as a result but had plenty of help offensively. The Colonels lit up the scoreboard against NSU for a team record in points for a Southland game, having four players finish in double-figure scoring for the first time this season. Against UIW, the Colonels had four again led by 17 points from Barrios and Chrystal Ezechukwu.
Airi Hamilton averaged 16.5 points on 63.2 percent shooting in the two wins, and Ezechukwu was close behind at 16 points on 66.7 percent from the field. Both players set career highs in points as Hamilton scored 19 against the Lady Demons and Ezechukwu totaled 17 versus UIW.
Nicholls will have its work cut out for them in facing Stephen F. Austin, which is a perfect 8-0 at home this season. The Ladyjacks have been impressive on their hardwood since 2013-14 with a 59-11 record. SFA won its lone conference game so far, defeating Southeastern Louisiana on the road to improve to a league-best 10-3 on the season.
Chanell Hayes leads a trio of Ladyjacks averaging double figures with 14.7 points. Hayes has canned 26 3-pointers at a 39 percent clip and heads SFA with 38 assists. She paced the 'Jacks in last season's loss in the Southland Tournament championship game against the Colonels with 17 points.
SFA leads the all-time series with a commanding 45-7 advantage, helped by a five-game winning streak prior to the tournament setback. Nicholls has only won twice in Nacogdoches, claiming victories in 2011 and '14.
UP NEXT
Nicholls returns to Stopher Gym Saturday, Jan. 12 to kickoff a women's/men's doubleheader against HBU. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
