THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will clash with the University of South Alabama for the 22^nd  time as the Colonels host the Jaguars inside Stopher Gym on Wednesday, December 14 at 6 p.m.

USA leads the all-time series with a 17-4 record. The game will be streamed live via ESPN+.

NICHOLLS COURT (3-5):
In the last few games, the Red & Gray has been led by a trio of veterans and a blossoming rookie.

COUNTIN' HAMILTONS: Junior guard Kyla Hamilton has been money for the Colonels. She was named Southland Conference Player of the Week for her three-game slate during the week of Thanksgiving. The Westlake, La. native averaged 19 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 53.8% (21-39) from the field and 50% from long range (10-20). Her 3-point mark is the 18^th best in the nation and the best in the SLC.  

At Southern Miss, Hamilton stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. She followed that up with a gutsy 40-minute performance that saw her score 20 points, grab a career-high nine boards, and dish out five assists, to help the Colonels beat the Devilettes. Against New Mexico, Hamilton finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

SANDIE SHORES: Sophomore guard Amelia Sandie has been pouring in the points for the Red & Gray lately. In the last two games, she has averaged 18.5 points while shooting 63% from the field, and 66.7% from long range.

The Brighton, England native stuffed the stat sheet in a victorious effort against MVSU racking up 20 points, while shooting 6-7 from the field, including 2-3 from behind the arc, and six of nine from the charity stripe. Additionally, she snagged five boards and dished out five dimes. In the matchup with New Mexico Sandie scored 17 points, hitting 50% of her field goals and 2-3 from deep.

DOUBLIN' DEONNA: In the Colonels' victory over the Devilettes sophomore forward Deonna Brister recorded her first career double-double, finishing the contest with a career-high 20 points and 14 rebounds. The Lake Arthur, La. native was 7-11 from the field (63.6%) and hit two triples.

FLEXIN' LEXI: Freshman forward Lexi Alexander had a solid week averaging 11.3 points, eight rebounds, and five total blocks in three games. She shot 8-11 from the field to score 16 points while grabbing six rebounds, and swatting 3 shots against USM. The Round Rock, Texas native had 12 points and eight boards against New Mexico and finished with six points and 10 rebounds in the win against MVSU.
 
SOUTH ALABAMA COURT (2-6):
The Jaguars are coming into the matchup looking to get back on track after dropping their last two contests to Mercer (64-46) and Louisiana Tech (73-50).

After Monday's loss in Ruston, they are 0-4 against teams from the state of Louisiana. They were defeated 79-46 by Tulane and clipped by Southland Conference foes UNO (71-63) and Southeastern (64-40).  

USA's most productive player is freshman guard Kelsey Thompson who averages 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Her biggest game was against Auburn where she scored a season-high 21 points and had eight rebounds and three steals.

Also leading the charge for the Jaguars is sophomore guard Nadia Howard, who has scored double figures in four games this season. She averages 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.

USA's main weapons have been their lockdown 3-point defense and their hustle on the offensive glass. The Jaguars post the 27th-best opponent 3-point percentage in the nation at 24.4 and they grab the 43^rd most offensive rebounds, hauling in 14.6 per game.

UP NEXT
The Colonels hit the road and cross state lines to take on Abilene Christian on Monday, December 19, and TCU on Wednesday, December 21 before returning home to open SLC play against Southeastern in Thibodaux on Saturday, December 31.