THIBODAUX, La. - With the game tied in the final seconds, Sh'Diamond McKnight drove into the paint and found Jasmine Matthews for the game-winning bucket before time expired as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team defeated Southeastern, 57-55, on Saturday inside Stopher Gymnasium.  

The field goal by Matthews was the seventh lead change in the fourth quarter alone. She also hit a jumper just outside the paint to tie the game at 55-all with 1:22 remaining. Southeastern misfired on two three-point attempts on its final possession, setting up the dramatic finish.

The victory snapped a four-game skid for Nicholls (13-15, 9-12 SLC) and gave the Colonels their first season sweep of the Lady Lions since 2020. It was also the first home win in the series since '21.

McKnight, who was one of five players honored on Senior Day, led the offense with 16 points on 7 of 15 from the field. She totaled two assists to go along with four rebounds and four steals. Fellow senior Tanita Swift also scored in double figures with 10 points and Jesslynn Jalomo chipped in with 11 points. 

Following the Senior Day ceremony, the Colonels could not have asked for a better start as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Jalomo capped the run with a three-pointer from the corner. SLU eventually found its offense but Nicholls still ended the quarter with a 14-10 advantage.

Nicholls saw its first double-digit lead in the second quarter after McKnight scored back-to-back buckets. She drained a triple before scoring inside for a 26-16 lead. But once again, the Lady Lions hung around and cut the deficit to 28-23 before the break with a three-ball by Lihi Azouri. 

In the third quarter, Azouri struck again from deep and tied the game at 34. Southeastern would head into the final stanza with a 41-39 lead.

For the fourth, Nicholls made 7 of 9 from the field but SLU stayed in it with a pair of triples. The Lady Lions held a 53-49 advantage with less than four minutes to go, but Anyra Wilson and Swift found space in the paint for two buckets to even it back up. 

Aliyah Collins gave SLU its final lead with 1:39 remaining before Matthews quickly answered off a Swift assist. Following the defensive stop, Nicholls got the ball back with 11 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, McKnight isolated at the top of the key, dribbled inside and dished it off to Matthews for the game-winner before the buzzer sounded. 

Collins led SLU with a game-high 17 points and Azouri added 13. 

The Colonel defense totaled 12 steals off of 16 Lady Lion turnovers. Senior Emani Burks grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

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Nicholls will play its regular season finale on Tuesday, March 3 against East Texas A&M. The game will be an early tipoff set for 11:00 a.m.