THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will look to return to its winning ways at home Saturday, hosting Abilene Christian for a nonconference matchup at Stopher Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Nicholls is 2-0 in Thibodaux this season, picking up victories against non D1 opponents Tougaloo and Spring Hill College. But since the 20-point win over SHC, the Colonels have lost their last three games against Louisiana Tech, Grand Canyon, and Montana by an average of 37 points. 

Without three of their top four scorers from a season ago, the Colonels have been led on offense by guard Chyna Allen in the last four games. Allen poured in 18, 14, 16 and 19 points and is second in the Southland Conference in scoring at 13.9 points per game. 

Defensively, Allen is one of two Colonels in double figures in steals. She is second with 10 and freshman Deonna Brister leads the way with 15. In her rookie season, Brister is averaging 4.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Bryanna Washington heads Nicholls with 6.0 rebounds while averaging 9.3 points.

Abilene Christian (5-1) heads to Thibodaux winners of its last two. The Wildcats posted wins against Little Rock and Arkansas State over Thanksgiving weekend for their second and third D1 wins of the early season. The lone loss for ACU was a lopsided defeated at Kansas State.

ACU has a trio of players averaging double figures, led by Tatum Barber's 11.0 points per game. She is closely followed by Kamryn Mraz (10.8) and Jamie Bonnarens (10.3). 

As former members of the Southland, Nicholls and ACU squared off eight times with the Wildcats holding a 5-3 advantage in the series. The last meeting was in the spring as the Colonels eliminated ACU from the SLC Tournament with a 67-57 victory.

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