THIBODAUX, La. - After a bit of a slow start, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team erased an early 11-point deficit and led by as much as six in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M-Commerce, but the visiting Lions would go on to sweep the season series with a 77-70 victory over the Colonels Monday evening at Stopher Gymnasium. 

Nicholls (4-22, 1-14 SLC) enjoyed a 57-51 advantage at the eight-minute mark in the fourth, but over the next five minutes, the Lions went on a 20-2 run to put the game away. The Colonels used two buckets by Deonna Brister to make it a five-point game with a minute remaining; however, A&M-Commerce (12-15, 10-5 SLC) hit a pair of free throws and added a late jumper to seal the win.

Brister was one of four Colonels to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points. Lexi Alexander racked up team-highs with 21 points, 15 rebounds and six steals, while Traya Bruce scored 16 points. Kyla Hamilton rounded out the scoring leaders with 11 points.

Nicholls shot 44 percent for the game despite a rough showing in the opening period. The Colonels made just 3 of 18 from the field but recovered with a solid second quarter and trailed 29-25 at the half.

The Colonels opened up the third quarter with a 6-0 run, taking the lead on a Brister jumper. Before the end of the period, Bruce drained a 3-pointer for a five-point edge. Nicholls led 52-49 heading into the fourth.

Early in the final stanza, Hamilton made consecutive baskets for the six-point lead. The last came after one of Alexander's six steals. As a team, Nicholls finished with a season-high 15 steals. 

Commerce cut into the deficit with four straight free throws, then used their own steal for a fastbreak layup to tie the game at 57. The spurt continued to 12 consecutive points as the Lions flipped the game from a six-point deficit to a six-point advantage. Mia Deck then hit a 3-pointer and the Colonels eventually found themselves down a dozen points with just three minutes remaining. 

Zaria Collins also had a double-double, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the visitors. Laila Lawrence added 14 points and DesiRay Kernal contributed with 11 points and seven assists.

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Nicholls will play its final road game Thursday at New Orleans. Tipoff at Lakefront Arena is scheduled for 5 p.m.