THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team begins its 2021-22 campaign Tuesday morning with an 11 a.m. matchup at LSU in the PMAC for the Tigers' annual field trip game. 

VS. LSU
Nicholls is looking to knock off LSU for the first time in school history as the Tigers have won all 14 meetings. The last contest between the two schools was two years ago with LSU handing the Colonels a 63-32 setback.

PRESEASON POLL/HONORS
Nicholls was voted to finish in fourth place and received one first-place vote in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll. Nicholls is led by preseason first-team selection Chelsea Cain and second-team honoree Chyna Allen.
- Cain was an automatic selection after earning All-Southland First Team in her sophomore campaign. The Prairieville native had a breakout season, ranking second in the league in scoring (17.0 ppg) and third in rebounding (8.0 rpg). She posted five 20-point double-double efforts, including a career high 29 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Sam Houston.
 - Allen was voted onto the second team after averaging 8.8 points in her first season with the Colonels. A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Allen helped Nicholls to a tournament victory over Abilene Christian with 18 points and 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range.

WELCOME BACK
The Colonels return eight letterwinners from last season which includes four starters. Along with Cain and Allen, Adrian Mann was a leading scorer at 8.4 points per game while Bryanna Washington averaged 5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds.

FRESH FACES
Head coach Dobee Plaisance signed two freshman who will be making their debuts this season. Guard/forward Deonna Brister averaged nearly 20 points as a senior, leading Lake Arthur to a 2A championship and was named most outstanding player in the state. Sierra Moore came to Thibodaux out of Cape Coral, Florida where she averaged 12 points, nine rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. 

TRANSFERS
While Colonels lost their second-leading scorer, Anna Mckendree (10.9), to Indiana State, they welcomed New Orleans guard Traya Bruce to the team. A standout guard at South Lafourche High School, Bruce started 34 games for the Privateers in her two years at the Lakefront, averaging over 7 points per game as a freshman. 

HOME DEBUT
Nicholls will make its Stopher Gymnasium debut this Thursday (Nov. 11) against Tougaloo College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

FOLLOW THE COLONELS
Follow Nicholls Women's Basketball on social media on Twitter (@Nicholls_WBB) and Instagram (@Nichollswhoops). Follow Colonel Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribe to the official YouTube channel (Nicholls Athletics).