AIRI HAMILTON - SAM HOUSTON
Brad Weimer Photography
80
Winner Sam Houston St. SHSU 15-7,10-3 Southland
77
Nicholls St. NichSt 6-16,3-10 Southland
Winner
Sam Houston St. SHSU
15-7,10-3 Southland
80
Final
77
Nicholls St. NichSt
6-16,3-10 Southland
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Sam Houston St. SHSU 13 20 24 23 80
Nicholls St. NichSt 11 18 25 23 77

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Sam Houston State fends off Colonels, 80-77

THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team was pitted against one of the top teams in the conference for the second straight game and nearly came out on top in an 80-77 setback to Sam Houston State Saturday in Stopher Gymnasium.

Following a back-and-forth third quarter, Sam Houston (15-7, 10-3 SLC) pulled away with a 10-point lead with just five minutes remaining before the Colonels made a comeback. Lauryn Bowie sparked the run with a 3-pointer and Airi Hamilton's layup put the score at 75-74 with a minute to go. 

The Bearkats went on to sink four free throws for a five-point edge, but Chrystal Ezechukwu nailed her second 3-pointer of the season to keep Nicholls alive with 13 seconds on the clock. After a Colonel foul, the Bearkats missed their second free throw but Nicholls gave the ball back on a jump ball. Sam Houston ran out the final six seconds for the season sweep.

Nicholls (6-16, 3-10 SLC) had a solid shooting effort at 46 percent, and Hamilton paced the offense as she matched her career-high of 20 points. Sophomore Loan-Anh Johnson was right behind at 18 points, and Ezechukwu finished with 16.  

The game featured nine lead changes with eight coming in the third quarter. The Bearkats went into the half with a 33-29 advantage and led 57-54 at the end of the third. 

Amber Leggett led the 'Kats with a game-high 27 points. She was a rebound shy of a double-double, helping SHSU to a 41-33 advantage on the boards.

UP NEXT
Nicholls will hit the road Wednesday, Feb. 12 to take on Lamar University. Tipoff in Beaumont, Texasis scheduled for 7 p.m. 

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