KATY, Texas – Sophomore Chelsea Cain scored a game-high 24 points and Chyna Allen netted all 18 of her points in the second half as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team defeated the defending tournament champions and No. 7 seed Abilene Christian, 67-57, in the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament Thursday afternoon in the Merrell Center. 
 
With the win, sixth-seeded Nicholls (11-13) advances to Friday's third round to take on No. 3 seed Sam Houston. The teams split the season series with each team winning on its home court. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Cain, who was recognized before the game for earning All-Southland First Team, put together her typical all-league performance, shooting 9 of 15 from the field to go along with eight rebounds. She scored 15 in the first half as Nicholls trailed 30-24 at the break.
 
But the Colonels took control following the intermission, led by a career-outing from Allen. The Jones College transfer hit two 3-pointers in the third quarter and added two more in the fourth, with her final coming at the 1:43 mark to push the Colonel lead to 62-57. ACU went scoreless the rest of the way as Nicholls added five free throws to make the final. 
 
Allen finished one point shy of her career-high, shooting 6 of 8 from the field and 4 of 5 from 3-point range. The 18 points ended a six-game drought for the Gulfport, Mississippi native of scoring in single figures. 
 
Anna McKendree also cracked double figures, totaling 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Terris McKay added seven points and two steals and had a key 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Nicholls went out to outscored ACU in the period, 23-11.  
 
Nicholls held ACU (14-10) 33.3 percent shooting from the field, its lowest of the season, and 7 of 31 from 3-point range. Anna McLeod scored 19 for the Wildcats but made just 6 of 21 from the field. Taylor Morgan had a strong game off the bench with 16 points. 
 

Check out our @HerculesTires Strong Play of the Game from game 4 of the Hercules Tires Southland Conference Women's Basketball Tournament!@Nicholls_WBB's Chyna Allen has ❄️❄️❄️ in her veins!! Draining 4️⃣ of 5️⃣ from beyond the arc today! pic.twitter.com/aJJE5JDvqx

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) March 11, 2021

 
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. 
 
Follow Nicholls Athletics on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribe to the official YouTube channel (Nicholls Athletics).