THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell to the University of South Alabama 74-73 inside Stopher Gym on Wednesday night.

The game was a track meet from start to finish with the Jaguars shooting 49.1% (27-55) from the field while the Colonels shot 40.3% from the field.

In the first half, USA hit 10 3-pointers and shot 47.6% from deep compared to four made 3-pointers at 28.6% for Nicholls which helped the Jaguars lead 41-33 at the break.  

The Colonels started the second half on a 10-2 run to make tie the game at 43 and force a Jaguars timeout. The teams traded buckets for the rest of the quarter and Nicholls led 56-55 going into the fourth frame.

At the 2:29 mark of the fourth quarter, sophomore forward Deonna Brister drew a foul on USA's Maggie Robinson, who then shouted at the officials and pick up a technical on the same play. Brister knocked down three out of four free throws to tie the game at 69.

USA's Kelsey Thompson hit a layup before freshman forward Lexi Alexander hit two shots from the charity stripe to tie the game again. Thompson hit another layup and an empty possession from Nicholls allowed Nadia Howard to hit a free throw to make it 74-71, Jaguars.

Alexander hit a layup with two seconds left to cut the deficit to one. The Jaguars turned the ball over on the inbounds, but the Colonels were unable to capitalize on the mistake.

Nicholls finished the contest with a season-low eight turnovers. Coming into the game, USA ranked 43rd in the nation in offensive rebounds per contest (14.6). The Red & Gray held them to just nine offensive rebounds and grabbed 13 of their own.

The Red & Gray had four individuals finish the game with double figures. Alexander led the way with 20 points while shooting eight of 15 from the field and hitting four of six free throws.

Junior guard Kyla Hamilton stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. She hit six field goals, including a team-high three triples.

Brister finished the contest with 17 points and 12 boards to claim her second double-double of the season. She knocked down seven of eight shots from the charity stripe and hit two 3-pointers.

Also stuffing the stat sheet was sophomore guard Amelia Sandie who finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

For USA, Thompson finished with 19 points, Jordan Rosier had 15, and Nadia Howard added 12.

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.