THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's basketball team will battle UIW in the opening round of the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Basketball Tournament on Monday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m.
 
For the second consecutive season Nicholls (14-15, 10-12 SLC) enters the post season tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Colonels ended the regular season with a pair of home victories over Southeastern (57-55) and East Texas A&M (69-49).
 
The Red & Gray offense has relied on strength in numbers this season as they have five players averaging over eight points per game and rank 59th nationally in bench production. Sh'Diamond McKnight and Marie Kenembeni lead the way with 11.4 and 10.2 points per game respectively. Tanita Swift averages 9.5 points while Jesslynn Jalomo and Jasmine Matthews add 8.3 and 8.2 ppg.
 
The Colonel defense has been stout this season as they 39th nationally in steals per contest, and 54th nationally in turnovers forced. The unit has forced at least 18 turnovers 19 times this season. Swift was named to the SLC All-Defensive team and has been a two-way force as she averages 2.4 steals which ranks third in the SLC and despite only playing league games she is one of 10 players to record over 50 steals. Anyra Wilson has a team-high 61 steals while McKnight has 50.
 
UIW (13-16, 11-11 SLC) enter the post season tournament on a three-game losing streak after dropping games to Stephen F. Austin, Lamar and UTRGV. The Cardinals offense is led by Jorja Elliott and Brynn Lusby who average 12.7 and 10.6 points per game. Madison Cockrell paces the offense with 3.4 assists per game while Raimi McCrary takes care of the glass with 6.1 rebounds per contest.
 
Nicholls dropped both regular season games to UIW by a combined eight points. This will be the second time the Colonels and Cardinals will clash in the post season tournament. The Colonels trail the all-time series 12-8 dating back to 2014.