After defeating Southland Conference foe McNeese State University Monday night in Lake Charles, the Lady Colonels will try to do the same Saturday night in Stopher Gym. Because of a scheduling problem, the two teams will meet in consecutive SLC contests, marking the first time Nicholls has played back-to-back regular season games against the same opponent in its 20-year history of Division I basketball.
“You hate to have to play a team back-to-back like that, but, because of a scheduling conflict over the Burton Coliseum where McNeese plays, we have to do it,” Lady Colonel head coach Louise “Do” Bonin said.
“We’re not going to go into Saturday’s game taking them for granted, because they are a good ball club, but we hope the win against them on the road gives us the confidence we need to pick up a win at home,” Bonin said.
In Saturday’s game, Lady Colonel Katie Schreiter needs 11 points to reach the 1000-point mark for her career.
The 57-48 win over the Cowgirls on Monday night pushed the Lady Colonel record to 4-13 overall and 2-8 in the SLC.
Nicholls held a 23-21 lead at the half behind six points from Dana Kelley and Mandy Broussard.
In the second half, Nicholls took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Tiffany Nearing at the 12:15 mark.
McNeese cut the Lady Colonel lead to three with 2:20 to go in the contest on a 3-pointer by Wendy Mapp, but Nicholls made 8-of-10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
On the night, Kelley finished with 16 points, and Heidi Broussard added 13.
Nicholls’ Tremaine Robinson also set a career mark with 19 rebounds.
“I’m proud of the way Tremaine played. It was her heart and determination that enabled us to win that game,” Bonin said.
On Saturday afternoon, the Lady Colonels fell to Lamar University 76-66 in Beaumont, Texas.
After trailing 34-33 at the half, Nicholls kept the game close in the second half, taking the lead once and cutting the Lady Cardinal advantage to one on five occasions.
In the final minute, Lamar connected on its free throws to take the 10-point win.
Nearing led Nicholls with 15 points and Schreiter chipped in with 12. Robinson, Mandy Broussard, and Heidi Broussard each added 10.
“Even though we lost against Lamar, we played well,” Bonin said. “It was a real shot in the arm, and our play carried over to the McNeese win.”
Last Thursday, the Lady Colonels lost to Sam Houston State 85-46 in Huntsville, Texas.
Nicholls trailed 47-10 at the half and failed to get back into the game. Schreiter led the Lady Colonels with 13 points.
