THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team defeated Mississippi Valley State University 73-66 inside Stopher Gym on Wednesday night.  

Nicholls (3-2) got out to a slow start offensively as they trailed midway through the second quarter before the Colonels went on an 11-1 run to close the first half. After the flurry that featured four turnovers by MVSU, the Red & Gray led by seven (39-32) at the intermission.
 
Early in the third, consecutive layups by Marie Kenembeni gave the Colonels a nine-point lead. However, MVSU answered with their own 11-1 surge to take a 45-44 lead with 3:47 to go in the third. That was the final time the Colonels trailed as they retook the lead heading into the fourth. Nicholls made eight of 15 field goals and seven foul shots in the final stanza to secure the second consecutive Red & Gray victory.

It was a total team effort for the Colonels' offense who had nine different scorers as the unit controlled the paint throughout. Jasmine Matthews hit six of nine field goals and led the way with 15 points followed by Emani Burks who had 11 points while finishing one rebound shy of a double-double. Jesslynn Jalomo finished with nine points while Anyra Wilson and Sh'Diamond McKnight added eight points apiece. Sanaiya Morris cashed a pair of triples and a foul shot to finish with seven while the trio of Kenembeni, Makayla Charles and Laryn Scott combined for 15 points off the bench.
 
For MVSU, Janiya Jones and Ariel Jefferson led the way with 15 points apiece while Kyla McCullers and Jaeda Murphy added nine apiece.
 
Following today's victory, the Colonels lead the series against MVSU 7-1 dating back to 2012.
 
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The Red & Gray (3-2) will cross state lines to battle Southern Miss in Hattiesburg on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.