THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team with play its second conference road game Saturday as the Colonels head north to take on Central Arkansas.
 
Nicholls (4-7) improved to 3-1 in the Southland after winning its fourth game at home in Wednesday's 68-38 victory over Northwestern State. But the Colonels will have to find a way to change their fortunes on the road against an always tough opponent, UCA.
 
The Colonels had trouble scoring in their road loss at Lamar, but a return to Thibodaux resulted in 76- and 68-point outings for the offense. Sophomore Chelsea Cain continued her outstanding play, scoring 22 in the win over NSU. She is now averaging 20.8 points in the four league games and 16.5 points on the season. 
 
Nicholls has also received a boost in scoring from its bench as Adrian Mann (8.4 ppg) has excelled in her new role. After starting the first seven games, Mann came off the bench in conference and scored 19 and 13 her last two games. She also notched her first career double-double in the victory against Northwestern State, grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds. 
 
Anna McKendree (8.0) is also a non-starter but is fourth on the team in scoring. Following a scoreless outing at Lamar, she responded with five points against Southeastern Louisiana and 15 versus NSU.
 
Despite just being two weeks into the conference schedule, only four teams have yet to suffer a league loss. Two of the squads, Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian, are not on the Colonels' schedule. 
 
While Nicholls will be aiming for its first road win, Central Arkansas (2-9) is looking for its first league win after an 0-3 start.  UCA played a stiff nonconference slate and came away with a pair of wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Five of the losses were against programs from the Big 12 or SEC, and three were ranked including No. 4 Baylor.
 
But the woes continued in league play after UCA fell to two of the league favorites at home - Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin, and at McNeese, which was ranked 12th in the preseason poll.
 
The Sugar Bears are led on offense by Jalisa Outlaw (13.2), but she has not played in the last two games. Her best outing was a 19-point effort against Mississippi State, fueled by 14 of 15 at the free throw line. 
 
In UCA's 85-44 loss to SFA on Wednesday, Romola Dominguez was the lone Sugar Bear in double figures with 12 points. Lucy Ibeh is the team's second-leading scorer at 8.6 ppg. 
 
Central Arkansas holds a 17-10 lead in the all-time series, thanks to a recent five-game winning streak from 2016-18. But Nicholls has won three of the last four, including a sweep in 2019 and a win in Conway in 2020. 
 
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are now available by visiting Nicholls Ticket Central or calling the ticket office at 985-448-4790. New this season, fans have the option to purchase the Geaux BIG RED ticket package which will cover all home basketball, football, and baseball games.
 
FOLLOW THE COLONELS
For the most up-to-date news on Colonel women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB and on Instagram @Nicholls_WBB. 
 
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