THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team begins the 2023-24 against North American University on Monday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. inside Stopher Gym.
 
Additionally, this week, the Red & Gray will play Tulane in New Orleans on Wednesday, Nov. 8, and host SUNO in the Education Game on Friday, Nov. 10 inside Stopher Gym at 11 a.m.
 
The games on Monday and Wednesday will be available to stream via ESPN+.
 
The Colonels will begin a new era under first year head coach Justin Payne who spent the last four years as the head coach at Division II Georgia Southwestern before returning to his alma mater. Payne amassed a 69-35 overall record in his tenure with the Lady Hurricanes, highlighted by a historic 2022-23 campaign.
 
Nicholls has nine returners, including all five starters from a year ago, and welcome nine newcomers to the fold.
 
2022 Southland Freshman of the Year, sophomore forward Lexi Alexander, was named to the 2023 SLC Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Second Team. Last season, she ranked fourth in the league in scoring at 13.8 points per game, third in rebounding (8.4) and fifth in blocks (1.1). She tied for second in the league with eight double-doubles.
 
Also coming back for the Colonels are junior forward Deonna Brister and senior point guard Kyla Hamilton. A year ago, Brister averaged 12.6 points, and 7.2 rebounds per contest while Hamilton poured in 10.7 points, snagged 4.7 boards, and dished a team-high 4.2 assists per game.
 
Nicholls most efficient 3-point shooter senior guard Traya Bruce returns and will provide spacing as she hit 45 shots from deep while taking just over five a game last season.
 
UP NEXT
After the busy week locally, the Red & Gray will cross state lines for the first time to battle SMU in Dallas on Tuesday, Nov. 14.