THIBODAUX, La. - An enormous 29-point deficit after the first quarter of play proved to be too much to overcome for the Nicholls State University women's basketball team, as the Colonels fell to Abilene Christian, 97-71, Saturday afternoon in Stopher Gymnasium. 

The loss was the fourth straight for Nicholls, which fell to 2-6 on the season. ACU won its third consecutive game to improve to 6-1.

The Wildcats came out on fire, hitting 6 of 10 3-ponters for a 34-5 advantage after 10 minutes. Nicholls outscored ACU in the second quarter, 21-14, holding ACU to 4 of 16 shooting in the period. But the 22-point deficit at the break was the closest the Colonels would get for the rest of the game.

Chelsea Cain led Nicholls with 19 points off the bench, while Chyna Allen scored 16 and Bryanna Washington had 11. The Colonels shot 48 percent from the field and 18 of 23 from the free throw line, but 23 turnovers led to a 35-16 disadvantage in points off turnovers. 

ACU had five players score in double figures with Jamie Bonnarens matching Cain's 19. She was one of four Wildcats to connect on two 3-pointers. 

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