THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team defeated Northwestern State University by a final score of 60-57 on Thursday, Feb. 1.
The win brings the Colonels to a conference record of 3-5 and an overall record of 9-11.
Sophomore forward Lexi Alexander had a bounce-back game, scoring 20 points, grabbing four rebounds, one steal and one block.
However, the main highlight of the game came with 24.6 seconds left in the game, when junior forward Deonna Brister hit a last minute layup to put Nicholls out front, 58-57.
Brister scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
“I was a little stressed, but the team had confidence in me,” Brister said.
In the first quarter, Northwestern State went on a 10-2 run spanning the first three and a half minutes, but that didn’t stop the Colonels.
Nicholls proceeded to go on a 11-0 run for the next four minutes, grabbing the lead, but couldn’t hold it for long, as the Demons finished the quarter on a 7-0 run.
The second quarter showed both teams keeping it very close, not allowing the point margin to go past four between the teams.
However, it was the Demons who held control of the lead at halftime, 32-31.
Nicholls head coach Justin Payne relayed a message to the team in the locker room about something the Colonels haven’t been able to do well recently, and that’s finish the game.
“Remember what we’ve been working on,” Payne said. “Finish, finish, finish.”
The Colonels did just that going into the second half, but not before facing some obstacles given by the Demons.
Nicholls kept it close throughout the second half, but they ultimately finished the job thanks to team effort.
“Man, I’m excited for this team,” Payne said. “They have been working so hard, we’ve been falling short but not tonight.”
Alexander’s performance also lifted the Colonels to victory, shooting 8-12 on field goals. She’s had a bumpy road lately with performance, but one word helped her tonight.
“Today, I wrote the word breathe on my finger,” Alexander said. “Just to remind myself to breathe through it.”
Home-court advantage played a huge role for Nicholls, as the student body were back in Stopher Gym to cheer on the Colonels after the winter break.
“It’s amazing,” Payne said. “We want people to come out, it’s always a feel good.”
Whenever Brister’s layup went in to seal the game for Nicholls, the crowd went crazy, and Brister took note of that moment.
“It was awesome,” Brister said. “I love having this crowd, and I’m very appreciative of to everyone who came out tonight.”
The Colonels have another home game on Saturday, Feb. 3 when Houston Christian University comes to town, as part of a doubleheader for both the women’s and men’s team.
Tip-off for the women’s game is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Stopher Gym, with the men’s tip-off scheduled approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women’s game.
