Photo by: Nicholls Athletics

Nicholls women’s basketball huddles pregame

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University women’s basketball opened its season at home on Nov. 6 with an 82-65 win against North American University.

Nicholls head coach Justin Payne earned his first win with the team.

Nicholls started the game on a 13-3 run sparked by a Lexi Alexander steal that turned into a Daelyn Craig score. 

After a fast Nicholls’ start, North American outscored the Colonels 30-21 in the first half after the early scoring run 

The second half was all Nicholls, outscoring the Lady Stallions 48-32. The Colonels reached a 24-point lead, their biggest of the game, midway through the 4th quarter.

Nicholls had five players in double-digit scoring, Alexander [19], Deonna Brister [13],  Craig [12], Britiya Curtis [11] and Ashley Malone [10].

Alexander led the Colonels in scoring and rebounds, recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Alexander added 3 assists and 2 steals in the win.

Payne said it didn’t feel like the reboot in the first half and he made that clear to his team at halftime.

“We weren’t playing our style of basketball,” Payne said. “I told [the team] that it was their first impression to this crowd that’s here to see you.”

Alexander let the halftime message from Payne motivate her and the team to play better.

“We all had to encourage each other and it paid off,” Alexander said. We knew within a team that we needed to pick it up ourselves or [Payne] was going to pick it up for us.”

Payne said he is blessed to have a player like Alexander.

“She’s a leader,” Payne said. “She’s been voted team captain, she gives us her everything, and we’re working to give her different things to add to her offense. She’s just a great player.”

The crowd looked to enjoy the performance of freshman guard Betzalys Delgado. Every time Delgado entered the game, the crowd cheered loudly.

Delgado played 28 minutes and recorded 7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in her first collegiate game.

“She was great,” Payne said. “She was highly recruited out of high school and we’re blessed to have her here. I think she can play even better than that though.”

Craig, a junior transfer forward that Payne brought in from Georgia Southwestern, returned from an injury she suffered while with the Hurricanes, and made the most of her time back. She recorded 12 points and 8 rebounds in her first game with the Colonels.

“That was the Daelyn we saw at Georgia Southwestern,” Payne said. “You can see what she’s going to bring to this team going forward.”

Payne said he hopes the momentum continues forward going into Wednesday’s game at Tulane.

“We wanna continue to be a better team,” Payne said. “We’re gonna get at it tomorrow and see what we can do.”

The Colonels travel to New Orleans to face Tulane on Wednesday, Nov. 8. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

ESPN+ will broadcast the game.