THIBODAUX, La. – Following a 10-day break, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team's comeback effort fell short in its 54-52 loss to UIW on Tuesday night.
After generating a one-point (12-11) lead after the opening frame, Nicholls (4-4, 0-1 SLC) fell behind by as much as 15 as UIW (3-5, 1-0 SLC) exploded for 23 points in the second quarter. The Cardinals connected on seven field goals including five from long range and our foul shots to hold a 34-23 lead at the intermission.
The Colonels responded by stepping up their defensive intensity to start the third quarter on a 9-0 run while forcing seven turnovers enroute to allowing the Cardinals to shoot 2-13 from the floor. Nicholls won the third stanza 13-5 as six different Colonels scored, and the Red & Gray trailed 39-36 heading into the fourth.
Nicholls kept their momentum rolling as they hit eight field goals and outscored the Cardinals 16-15 in the quarter. However, on the game's final play Rami McCary snagged the Cardinals' 13th offensive rebound and put the ball off the glass and, in the hoop, just in time to secure the victory for UIW.
Overall, Nicholls offense was clicking as they hit 23 shots while shooting 48.9% from the field and scored 42 points in the paint. The Red & Gray defense held UIW to 33.3% from the field and won the turnover battle 13-21. The difference in the game was the eight shots the Cardinals hit from beyond the arc and them outrebounding the Colonels by 17 which led to nine points including the game winning bucket.
In her first game of the season, senior guard
Tanita Swift anchored the Colonels' offense as she hit seven of nine field goals to finish with 14 points.
Sh'Diamond McKnight added nine points and five rebounds while
Jesslynn Jalomo and
Marie Kenembeni had eight points apiece.
UIW was led by Morgan Borgstadt who had 18 points followed by Jorja Elliot (14) and McCrary (11) who combined for 17 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray will host HCU on Thursday, Dec. 18. The action from Stopher Gym will begin at 6:30 PM.
