LAKE CHARLES, La. - A solid showing in the first half by the Nicholls State University women's basketball team resulted in an eight-point lead at the break, but like in Thursday's setback to McNeese, the Cowgirls turned the tide in the second and went on to defeat the Colonels, 70-62, Saturday afternoon at the Legacy Center.
With the loss, Nicholls (4-14, 1-6 SLC) dropped its third consecutive game and fourth straight in the series against McNeese. The Cowgirls improved to 7-11 and 4-3.
Deonna Brister tallied her fourth consecutive 20-point showing , finishing with a game-high 22 points on 10 of 17 from the field.
Kyla Hamilton posted a solid performance in her homecoming game with 19 points and eight assists, and
Lexi Alexander chipped in with 11 points, seven boards, three blocks and two steals.
As a team, Nicholls shot 50 percent from the field in the first half which resulted in a 35-27 led at the intermission; however, ran out of steam in the fourth by making only 4 of 17 in the final period.
McNeese shot just 30 percent in the opening half but made 9 of 15 in the third quarter to start their comeback. The Cowgirls turned an eight-point halftime deficit into an eight-point lead with three minutes remaining in the period, but the Colonels stormed back and led 51-50 after Alexander scored at the buzzer.
In the fourth, McNeese's Desirae Hansen broke a 53-all tie with a 3-pointer at the 6:18 mark, then after Nicholls followed with a free throw, she sank another deep ball for a five-point lead. Following a putback for a mini 8-1 run, it proved to be enough as the Colonels were unable to make it less than a two-possession game the rest of the way.
The Colonels finished at 41 percent for the game but still could not find its stroke from outside, making 3 of 18. Hamilton was for 2 of 5 from long range but
Amelia Sandie (8 points) was the only other Colonel to make a 3-pointer. Nicholls had success inside as both teams had 32 points in the paint.
Hansen led McNeese with 14 points and Kaili Chamberlin added 11.
UP NEXT
Nicholls stays on the road for its next two games, heading to Texas next week for a Thursday game at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a Saturday matchup at UIW.
