THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls State University senior Chrystal Ezechukwu set a new career-high for the second straight game as she scored 35 points against McNeese, leading the women's basketball team to a 79-63 victory Wednesday night on Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium. 

Ezechukwu, who scored 25 last Saturday at New Orleans, accounted for nearly half of the Colonels' points to give Nicholls (6-14, 3-8 SLC) its first home win in league play. She finished 14 of 22 from the field, 7 of 8 at the line, and was just four points shy of tying the school's single-game mark of 39, set back in the 1977-78 season by Niccie McKey. 

The Colonels outscored McNeese (5-14, 2-8 SLC) in each quarter and led by as much as 17 in the second half. Ezechukwu's basket a minute into the third gave Nicholls a 38-27 lead and the advantage stayed in double figures the rest of the way.

Nicholls shot 53 percent from the field and outrebounded the Cowgirls 40-35. It was the first time the Colonels won the battle of the boards since its victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Jan. 11. The Colonel defense held McNeese to 33 percent shooting for the game.

Senior Tykeria Williams joined Ezechukwu in double figures with 11 points and dished out seven assists. Loan-Anh Johnson added 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting and Airi Hamilton tacked on nine points. Williams had the Colonels one 3-pointer and she had made at least one in each of the 10 games.

Sky Jasper (21 points) and Damilola Balogun (20) led McNeese in scoring. The Cowgirls remained winless on the road with an 0-10 record.

Ezechukwu's 35-point game was the first 30-point effort for the Colonels since Cassidy Barrios scored 33 in November of 2017. She is now averaging 16.5 points in conference play, which ranks third in the league.

UP NEXT
Nicholls will have the weekend off before continuing its three-game homestand next Wednesday (Feb. 5) against Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Women's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_WBB) and Instagram (@Nicholls_WBB).

Chrystal Ezechukwu scored a career-high 25 points on Saturday, and followed up with 35 tonight‼️@TakeitEze_ made 14-of-22 from the field and 7 of 8 from the line, finishing just four points shy of matching the school's single-game record for points. #GeauxColonels #ThinkBIG pic.twitter.com/uOQmIFfdzV

— Nicholls WBB 🏀 (@Nicholls_WBB) January 30, 2020