CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Junior forward Jasmine Matthews poured in 24 of her 31 points in the second half of the Nicholls State University women's basketball team 63-57 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a physical battle on Monday night.
 
Matthews hit 11 field goals including one triple and was a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe. She is the first Colonel to score 30 points since Chyna Allen in the 2022 SLC Tournament.
 
Nicholls (6-4, 2-1 SLC) struggled offensively as a team for most of the contest as they hit 16 field goals and shot 27.6% from the floor. However, the unit converted 29 of 37 free throws as Tanita Swift who hit 9 of 12 from the line. The Red & Gray defense forced 22 turnovers and held the Islanders to 32% from the floor to complete the comeback victory.  
 
Both teams began the game physically as there was 18 fouls called in the opening frame. The constant start and stop forced Nicholls to start slowly as they hit one field goal in the first quarter while the Islanders connected on six. The Colonels trailed 24-10 at the end of the first.
 
In the second, the Red & Gray took full advantage of the physicality continuing as the unit connected on six shots from the charity stripe. Additionally, the Colonels found some rhythm offensively as they hit five field goals. However, due to the Colonels shooting 6-27 from the floor across the first two quarters they trailed 36-27 at the intermission.
 
After facing a large deficit for most of the first half the Colonels responded by scoring 18 points in the third. Matthews spearheaded the effort as she hit four field goals including one from long range to post 11 points in the quarter. The Red & Gray applied pressure defensively as they held the Islanders to 10 points while forcing eight turnovers in the stanza. Nicholls led 45-44 heading into the fourth.
 
Matthews continued her dominance in the final quarter as she hit five field goals and three to score 13 of the Colonels' 18 points to put the game on ice.
 
Samora Watson and Asha Walker had 12 points apiece for the Islanders.
 
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The Red & Gray will play UTRGV in Edinburg on Wednesday, Dec. 31.