THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team had a tough time finding points against McNeese, resulting in a 63-53 setback Thursday evening in Stopher Gymnasium.

The loss was the seventh straight at home for the Colonels (4-16, 2-7 SLC). It also marked the first time Nicholls has dropped consecutive games against the Cowgirls (10-13, 5-5 SLC) since 2017.

Nicholls and McNeese both struggled from the field as the Colonels finished at a season-low 24 percent and the Cowgirls shot 34 percent, but the Cowgirls made the most of their trips to the free throw line.  Heading into the game, Nicholls was at 73 percent at the line but converted on only 18 of 30. The visitors made 19 of 23.

Chelsea Cain led all scorers with 13 points but was 4 of 19 from the field. Bryanna Washington shot 4 of 13 for 10 points to go along with eight rebounds, and Kyrstin Green came off the bench to score 10 as well, connecting on two of the Colonels' three 3-pointers. 

McNeese jumped out to an 11-0 lead before Chyna Allen scored at the six-minute mark to end the drought. The Colonels had the upper hand the rest of the quarter, outscoring the Cowgirls 14-7. Cain ended the period with a 3-ball.

After shooting 47 percent in the opening quarter, the offensive struggles hampered the Colonels the rest of the game. A 29-percent second quarter resulted in a 36-34 deficit at the break. The Colonels took the lead thanks to a Green 3-pointer and a Washington jumper, but McNeese closed out the half on a 7-2 run. 

Nicholls fell behind by 10 points midway through the third quarter before answering with a 6-0 run. Allen hit two free throws to bring it to 47-44 in the final minute but the Colonels would not get any closer.

McNeese grabbed its biggest advantage of the night at 13 points in the fourth. Nicholls scored nine in the quarter, but all came at the free throw line as they shot 0 of 15 from the field. 

Divine Tanks (11 points/rebounds) and Zuzanna Kulinska (10 points/rebounds) each recorded a double-double for McNeese. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will wrap up its four-game homestand with a rematch against HBU. Tipoff on Saturday, Feb. 19 is scheduled for 1 p.m.