The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team took a loss and gained a win this past week in their two road games.
On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the Colonels traveled to the University of New Orleans to play against the Privateers.

The Colonels were on their way to get head coach DoBee Plaisance her record win in her hometown, until UNO outscored them 19-9 down the stretch to win the game.

With the minutes counting down, center Marina Lilly tied the game with a bucket in the paint. In the final two minutes, UNO hit a three-pointer gaining the Privateers a five-point edge. Tia Charles kept hope alive by scoring a three-pointer herself in the final minute.

Charles’ shot was the last of the night for the Colonels, as UNO sank 5-of-6 free throws, giving the Privateers their 62-55 win.

“We did well, but the first and fourth quarter was bad,” Plaisance said.

On Saturday, the Colonels took on the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

After back-to-back losses, the Colonels went into the UIW game with a renewed intensity to get back to .500.

With the win against UIW, Plaisance tied the record for career wins in women’s basketball at Nicholls. The next win will mark Plaisance’s 90th win as head coach for the program.

Forward LiAnn McCarthy scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the first half against the Cardinals. Guard Hope Pawlowski and Tia Charles joined the double-digit squad as both players came off the bench to score 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Guard Taylor Morrison was a key member in the fourth quarter of the UIW game that led to victory for the Colonels.

In the late stages of the game, UIW cut into the Colonel lead. A 15-point performance by a Cardinal, including a three-pointer late, set off a late fight from UIW.

Two turnovers by Nicholls, combined with four UIW free throws, brought the score to 66-64 with only 5.4 seconds remaining.
With the clock at 4.3 seconds, Pawlowski lost the ball on the sidelines and UIW had the opportunity to win or tie the game. The Cardinals received the ball and drove to the right block, but a layup hit off the front iron as the final buzzer sounded ended the game.

The Colonels will have a quick turnaround as they take on UIW again, four days after playing them in San Antonito. The games being back-to-back gives UIW the opportunity to avenge the loss against the Colonels.

With intense practices to make the Colonels improve and keep pushing the team forward physically, they take care of their tired bodies by taking ice baths constantly to recover faster, especially on the road.

“Expect to play hard and to fight to the end and be a winner,” said Morrison.

The team has weekly powwows to bond as this season has been rotating strings of wins and loses.

The powwows consist of talking about the games and reading bible verses to motivate each other and themselves.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to expect. We are just working to play our game and keep fighting for our number one sport,” Center Marina Lilly, said.

With a knee surgery for Charles and a shoulder surgery for Morrison, their recovery has motivated the team to not only be better for themselves, but for the team.

“Them [Charles and Morrison] being able to play is very motivating. Having had surgery and battling on the court to the highest of their ability is inspiring to not only the girls, but to me,” Plaisance said.