THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell to Lamar 52-49 inside Stopher Gym on Saturday afternoon.
 
The first half was a defensive battle with both teams shooting poor from the field and combining for 16 turnovers. Nicholls shot 23.1 percent compared to Lamar who shot 36.7 percent. The Cardinals closed the half on a 9-2 run and held a 23-18 advantage at the intermission.
 
The offenses found a rhythm in the third stanza as the units combined to hit 14 field goals. The Colonels shot 42.9 and 43.8 percent in the last two quarters but it wasn't enough to climb all the way back. Overall, both teams struggled from the field as Nicholls shot 19-56 (33.9%) from the field while Lamar was 22-57 (38.6) from the field.
 
Senior guard Kyla Hamilton shot six of 12 from the field led all scorers with 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists. She has reached double figures in three of the first four SLC games this season.
 
Sophomore Lexi Alexander also hit six field goals and one foul shot to score 13 points. She also grabbed five rebounds and dished two assists.
 
Lamar had a balanced offense featured four individuals in double figures. Current SLC Player of the Week Sabria Dean led the way with 12 points and six rebounds, followed by Akasha Davis who posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. R'Mani Taylor and Malay McQueen had 10 points apiece.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray (7-9, 1-3 SLC) will host cross state lines for the first time in two months for a pair of games in Texas. The Colonels will battle UIW in San Antonio on Thursday, Jan. 18 and then Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Jan. 20.