COMMERCE, Texas - Despite a red-hot start and a career-high 28 points by Tanita Swift, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team fell short in its first game of 2025 with a 68-60 loss at East Texas A&M on Thursday night.

Nicholls (8-4, 1-2 SLC) shot 67 percent for a 24-14 lead after a quarter but trailed by three at the break. The Colonels regained the advantage to end the third before East Texas A&M (4-8, 1-2 SLC) opened the final period with a 13-0 run and never looked back.

Swift was the lone Colonel to score in double figures, shooting 11 of 18 from the field, 3 of 4 from three, and added six assists. Emani Burks had nine points -- all coming in the first half -- and chipped in with three blocks.

Nicholls finished at 44 percent from the field and held the Lions to 36 percent, but the Red and Gray shot a season-low 43.8 percent (7-16) from the free throw line. East Texas A&M went 20 of 28 from the line with its final 10 points coming via free throws, not scoring a field goal in the last seven minutes.

The Colonels trailed 48-43 with less than two minutes remaining in the third before ending the quarter with a 6-0 run. Asia Broughton scored her second bucket of the period, and Swift followed with a layup and a pair of free throws for a one-point advantage.

But to start the fourth, Jamine Payne hit consecutive three-pointers to spark the game-sealing 13-0 run. Nicholls came as close as four when Swift made a basket-and-one with 1:25 to go but it would be the final points for the visitors.

Payne led the Lions with 20 points and Nykesha Sanders added 14 points and seven rebounds.

UP NEXT
Nicholls continue its road swing at Northwestern State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.