The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team set a new conference win record last Thursday night, defeating the University of Central Arkansas 53-43.

This win marked the last game in Stopher Gym for seniors Shay Arnick, Syleida Ellis, JonMarie Guillory and 1,000 Point Club member Jenny Nash, whom leave women’s program with the most wins in program history. The Colonels were virtually unbeaten on campus this year, posting a 10-2 mark at home.

Freshman guard Tia Charles lead the Colonels on senior night and scored 11 points, including 4 straight free throws with under a minute remaining to secure the win. The Colonels held the lead for all but 47 seconds of the game, stretching their advantage as far as 21 points with 2 minutes left in the first half.

“The way we came out was to be expected,” Head Coach DoBee Plaisance said. “We had great preparation leading into that game. For us to come out and make a statement early, I thought we would ride it.”

However, the Sugar Bears rallied in the second half, taking advantage of 5 Colonel turnovers to cut the lead down to 4 points with 2 minutes left in the game, outscoring the Colonels 23-14.

“What I didn’t expect is when they came back with the counter-punch, and we didn’t respond as aggressively as they came back to us,” Plaisance said. “We didn’t necessarily come back with a right hook and knock them out.”

Despite finishing the game with one more turnover than made baskets, the Sugar Bears rode their second half momentum back to within two possessions. The Colonel defense then forced their 21st turnover of the game, causing a foul that put Charles at the line, where she to sank the first of 2 sets of game-clinching free throws.

The Colonel bench contributed by scouring 24 points while collecting 12 rebounds and 10 steals. According to Plaisance, approaching the conference tournament, it is a huge advantage when teams who are dealing with injuries can rely on quality minutes from their reserve.

“I told them everybody across the country is beat up this time of year,” Plaisance said.

Nicholls travelled to Hammond last Saturday and added to their new conference win record by beating Southeastern Louisiana University 77-74, bringing the new mark to 13. Nash paced the Colonels with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Arnick added 13 points and 8 rebounds.

The Colonels head into the Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas with a first round bye. Their first game will be tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

“All season long we have overcome adversity, and have not been whole this entire season,” Plaisance said. “That is how much we have come together and we’re still in a position to do something great.”

When asked to explain how she has turned the program around from winning 2 conference games in her first year to the record setting 13 wins this year, Plaisance stressed one thing.

“All things are possible through the Lord Jesus Christ,” Plaisance said.