HOUSTON - After trailing 13-2 in the opening five minutes, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team was unable to claim the leading spot in its loss to Houston Baptist University, 70-61, snapping a seven-game win streak in the series, Saturday afternoon in Sharp Gymnasium. 

Only five Colonels (6-9, 5-3 SLC) scored throughout the game, with Chyna Allen leading the way with a career-high of 19 points, closely followed by Chelsea Cain, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season. Cain finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Adrian Mann also was in double-digits, scoring 11 points. She completed two basket-and-ones and was 3 of 4 at the free throw line. As a team, Nicholls connected on 18 of 22 from the charity stripe.

A slow start put Nicholls behind early, then at the 4:17 mark of the first quarter, Allen made a layup which began an 8-0 run for the Colonels closing the gap to 13-10. 

HBU (6-4, 2-1 SLC) maintained its advantage in the second quarter, with six scorers led by Timia Jefferson and Kennedy Wilson. Jefferson and Wilson both scored career highs of 28 and 13 points respectively, and Wilson had nine assists. 

After halftime, the Colonels attempted to make a comeback, with the fourth being their highest-scoring quarter, gaining 25 points. HBU was up by 16 with 3:24 left, but a late 8-0 run capped on an Allen layup trimmed the advantage in half with just over a minute remaining. But Nicholls would not get any closer as it fell to HBU for the first time since 2016. 

Following a rough first quarter that saw Nicholls make only 3 of 13 from the field, the Colonels shot 39.6 percent from the field. Anna McKendree (7 points) and Bryanna Washington (6) were the other scorers for Nicholls. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will have Wednesday off before hitting the road for a rematch against Sam Houston on Saturday, Feb. 6. The two teams squared off in the Southland opener, with Nicholls taking the game, 89-82. 

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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