MOBILE, Ala. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team beat the University of South Alabama 61-58 inside the Mitchell Center on Monday night.
 
The Jaguars matched their first half field goal total (9) to win the third quarter 21-10 to hold a nine-point lead going into the fourth (45-36).  The Colonels responded by winning the fourth stanza 25-13.

With 1:16 remaining in the game, junior guard Deonna Brister broke free and hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the Colonels the lead 59-56.
 
Senior guard Ashley Malone poured in 11 4th quarter points to lead the comeback. She hit three of four field goals and added four shots from the charity stripe to fuel the Colonels.
 
Sophomore forward Lexi Alexander scored 8 of her 25 points in the fourth frame. She finished with a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while hitting nine of 10 shots from the foul line.
 
In the first half, both teams hit nine field goals apiece, but the difference was the Colonels' stout defense forced 12 Jaguars turnovers including six steals. Senior guard Kyla Hamilton raced up the floor and put in a floater as time expired to give Nicholls a 26-24 advantage at the intermission.
 
Freshman guard Britiya Curtis finished with nine points, while senior guard Traya Bruce had five points including two clutch free throws after a Jaguars technical foul late in the fourth quarter.
 
Overall, the Colonels won the turnover battle 17-12 and finished the contest with eight steals. Additionally, this is the first victory over USA since 2014.
 
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The Red & Gray will host UAB on Saturday, Dec. 9 inside Stopher Gym.