LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team held McNeese to 29 percent shooting from the field and used a balanced attack on offense to knock off the Cowgirls, 63-43, Wednesday night in Burton Coliseum.
Nicholls (6-8, 5-2 SLC) only trailed 2-0 in the contest before cruising to its first road win of the season, while also handing McNeese (4-8, 4-1 SLC) its first league loss. The victory resembled last season's finale at McNeese, 72-53, and was the first 20-point win on the road since March 6, 2019 against Northwestern State (89-67).
Anna McKendree paced the offense with 15 points off the bench and filled the stat sheet for the second straight game with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Terris McKay notched her second-best career outing with 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting, and
Chelsea Cain posted her fourth double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Adrian Mann rounded out the leaders with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Although the offense was clicking for most of the game, the Colonel defense fueled the great start. McNeese scored just six points in the first quarter and made only 3 of 19 from the field. Nicholls shot 50 percent and led 14-6 after 10 minutes of play.
The Colonels cooled off in the second period but headed into the break with a 27-17 advantage. Nicholls kept McNeese scoreless for a seven-minute stretch in the half and grabbed its largest lead (22-9) at the 4:49 mark when a McKendree steal made way for a
Chyna Allen layup. Allen totaled six points on 2 of 3 shooting.
In the third quarter, Claralee Richard sank a 3-point to bring McNeese within four. But McKendree immediately answered with her own 3-ball as Nicholls closed out the period on a 10-2 run.
The Colonels poured in on in the fourth, leading by as much as 26. The defense once again had a strong showing as McNeese made 4 of 18 from the field in the final 10 minutes.
Nicholls outshot McNeese at the free throw line, 16-4, and made the most of it by sinking 12 attempts. Cain, who entered the game ranked 16th in the NCAA attempts, finished 7 of 8.
The Cowgirls were led on offense by Richard with 13 points and Divine Tanks scored 12. McNeese played the game without its head coach, Kacie Cryer, who missed due to COVID protocol.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will head to Houston Saturday (Jan. 30) for an afternoon matchup against HBU. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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.
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