THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team earned a 66-64 victory over Louisiana in its home opener inside Stopher Gym on Friday night.
 
For the second consecutive game, Nicholls (2-2) threw the first punch as the Colonels generated a 15-8 advantage after holding the Ragin' Cajuns to 22% in the opening quarter. The teams switched roles in the second stanza as Louisiana hit seven field goals to claw back into the contest. After shooting 26% in the second quarter, the Colonels led 29-26 at the intermission.
 
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Colonels out score the Ragin Cajuns by one to lead 48-44 going into the final stanza. The Red & Gray opened the final frame with a quick 8-0 run that forced a UL timeout with 7:31 to go. Despite not hitting any field goals the final four minutes of the contest, the Colonels were able to hold off the Ragin' Cajuns who cut the defict to one with 21 seconds to go.
 
The Red & Gray offense was balanced as sophomore guard Jesslynn Jalomo hit four triples and was 11-13 from the charity stripe as she poured in a game high 23 points. Jasmine Matthews hit seven field goals including one from long range to finish with 15 points against her former team. Sh'Diamond McKnight added 11 points while Anyra Wilson chipped in with eight.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray will host Mississippi Valley State University on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 pm. The action from Stopher Gym will be streamed via ESPN+.