NEW ORLEANS, La. –  After suffering back-to-back losses, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team defeated New Orleans 72-59 inside Lakefront Arena on Thursday night.
 
Nicholls (16-8, 9-6 SLC) started slow as the unit hit one of their first eight field goals to fall behind 8-2 early on. However, after the sluggish start the Colonels responded with a 16-3 run across the final six minutes of the opening frame. Behind seven early points from Malaya Jones, the Colonels led 16-11 after 10 minutes.
 
The Red & Gray kept their momentum rolling as they opened the second stanza with a 14-3 spurt to give them a 32-16 lead with 4:07 to go in the half. The Privateers responded with their own run, but the Colonels led 37-24 at the intermission.
 
In the second half, Nicholls connected on 12 field goals while shooting 48%. UNO got within seven multiple times down the stretch. However, the Colonels hit six of their last seven shots to close the door on a Privateers comeback attempt.
 
The Colonels defense allowed their second lowest opponent field goal percentage of the season as the Privateers shot 16-59 (.271). The Red & Gray held a team to less than 20 made field goals for the 12th time this season and sixth time in league action. Additionally, the unit had 15 steals and forced 22 turnovers.
 
On the other end, the Colonels balanced offense had 17 assists on 22 field goals, featured nine different scorers, and was led by three players who finished with double figures. Jones paced the offense with a game high 17 points on seven made field goals.
 
Britiya Curtis scored 10 points and had three steals while Violette Skipworth stuffed the stat sheet with a career high 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Elli Garnett and Emani Burks scored seven points apiece while combining for 16 rebounds. Kailyn Peters also stuffed the stat sheet with six points, five boards, and four assists.
 
After tonight's victory the Colonels have complete the season sweep of the Privateers and have won three consecutive matchups. Additionally, the Red & Gray has extended their road game win streak to five.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray will play at Southeastern on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.