HAMMOND, La. – In a game that featured six ties and 11 lead changes, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team outlasted Southeastern 69-66 inside the University Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
In the closely contested affair, Nicholls (10-8, 6-5 SLC) hit 23 field goals while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and generated 10 steals to earn its second consecutive victory. The victory for the Colonels breaks at 10 game losing streak against the Lady Lions and is the first win in Hammond since January 2020. The Colonels trail the all-time series 23-37.
 
Both teams had similar starts to the game as they were tied at 17 after one quarter. After Sh'Diamond McKnight set the tone with seven first quarter points, Jesslynn Jalomo hit two triples and a pull up jump shot to score eight in the second. McKnight and Jalomo combined for 21 first half points as the Colonels led 36-34 at the intermission.
 
The back-and-forth trend continued into the second half as Marie Kenembeni scored eight points in the third quarter. The game was tied at 53 heading into the final frame. After SLU took a one-point lead with 3:03 to go, the Colonels closed the game with a 7-3 run with late buckets by Jasmine Matthews and Anyra Wilson and free throws by Tanita Swift.
 
The Red & Gray balanced offense featured three double figure scorers. Kenembeni led the way as she hit seven field goals including one triple and six free throws to finish with a game high 21 points. She scored at least 20 points for the second consecutive game and added a team high nine rebounds. McKnight added 14 points and snagged six boards while Jalomo finished with 11 points.
 
Despite losing the turnover battle for the second time in SLC play, Nicholls outscored SLU 16-12 in points off turnovers. The Colonels also outrebounded the Lady Lions 41-31, tallied more points in the paint (26-22), and seven more second chance points (22-15).
 
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The Red & Gray will play road games at Northwestern State (Jan. 29) and East Texas A&M (Jan. 31) next week.