THIBODAUX, La. - After the Nicholls State University women's basketball team closed out the opening half with a 14-2 run to even the score, the UAB Blazers caught fire in the third quarter and poured in 31 points thanks to an 11-for-11 effort from the field as the Colonels dropped their final home contest of year, 73-62, on Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gymnasium.

Nicholls (6-5) turned in a solid offensive effort by shooting 42 percent and had three players score in double figures, led by Lexi Alexander's 18, but could not keep pace with the Blazers who sank a season-high 13 three-pointers. The Colonels outscored UAB in the fourth, 17-10, but the third quarter was too much to overcome.

Alexander shot 8 of 18 from the field and Britiya Curtis joined in her double figures with 15 points. Deonna Brister added 11 points and was two rebounds shy of a double-double. 

A back-and-fourth first quarter saw UAB lead 20-16 after a late three-pointer. The hot-shooting continued into the second as UAB sank two more from long range to fuel a 13-0 run. But over the final seven minutes, Nicholls did not allow another field goal. The Colonels outscored UAB 14-2 the rest of the way and tied it up at 32-32 on a Kyla Hamilton jumper in the final minute. 

But the visitors returned the favor with a 7-0 run to start the third quarter. Alexander ended the run with a bucket, however, two more three-pointers and an old-fashioned three-point play made way for an 11-0 spurt. Another late triple gave UAB a 63-45 advantage through three quarters.

The deficit grew to as much as 24 in the fourth before Nicholls pieced together a late run. The Colonels canned three three-pointers in the final five minutes, getting a pair from Mikayla Etienne.

Mia Moore led UAB with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Tracey Bershers scored all 18 of her points on six three-pointers.

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Nicholls will have the week off before heading to Grambling State on Wednesday, Nov. 20.