LAKE CHARLES, La. -- The Nicholls State University women's basketball team played stout defense and efficient offense in a 73-66 victory over New Orleans in the first round of the 2024 Southland Conference Tournament on Monday afternoon.
 
After falling behind at half time, the Colonels found their rhythm and shot 16-31 (51.6%) from the field and allowed the Privateers to shoot 32% in the second half to secure their first postseason victory since 2021.
 
Senior guard Kyla Hamilton scored seven of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, including two layups off back-to-back Colonel steals to put the Colonels up 57-48 early in the frame. Hamilton did it all for the Red & Gray as she added seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals to her stat line.
 
Mikayla Etienne was a huge spark off the bench as she hit seven field goals including three from beyond the arc to finish with a team-high 19 points. All-Southland second team member Lexi Alexander scored 13 points and hauled in 10 rebounds to register her seventh double-double of the season.
 
Deonna Brister was a two-way force for the Colonels as she scored 12 second half points while shooting perfect from the field (4-4) and grabbing five boards and three of the 11 Nicholls takeaways.
 
For UNO, Nora Francois had 22 points and 11 rebounds while DeArica Pryor added 19 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Colonels snapped a five-game losing streak to the Privateers and pick up the first victory in the series since 2022.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray (14-17) will play No. 3 Southeastern on Tuesday, March 12 at 1:30 P.M.