LAFAYETTE, La. - After a slow start, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team battled back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter but came up short in a 60-55 loss against Louisiana on Friday night at the Cajundome.

Nicholls (3-2) was led in scoring by Tanita Swift with 19 points while Deonna Brister had 10 and Malaya Jones added nine. The trio accounted for all eight points during an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter that sparked the late comeback.

Down 56-50 with a minute to go, Britiya Curtis made a layup before Jesslynn Jalomo rimmed in a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining to make it a one-point game. After a pair of UL free throws, Swift went inside but had her shot blocked by Kamryn Jones. The Ragin' Cajuns tacked on two more free throws to make the final.

Following a 2-for-13 shooting performance in the first quarter that led to a 14-5 deficit, Nicholls shot at least 43 percent in the next three periods and finished at 40 percent. Both teams had six made three-pointers but Nicholls fired 22 shots from long range while UL needed only 11 attempts.

Nicholls held Louisiana to 38 percent from the field and 2 of 11 in the final quarter. But UL made 10 free throws in the period to hang on to the lead. For the game, Nicholls went 5 of 8 from the charity stripe while UL made 16 of 23.

Both teams had 24 turnovers with Swift recording three steals for the Colonels. She's been one of the top defenders in the early going, averaging 3.2 steals per game. 

Jaylyn James led UL with 16 points and Jones had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. 

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Nicholls returns to the court next weekend in the Big Easy Classic at the Alario Center. Friday's opening game against Evansville is scheduled for 8 p.m.