A dominant performance in the paint led the Nicholls women’s basketball team to a victory over the UNO Privateers 67-49 on Thursday. 

After a loss to conference opponent Lamar, the Colonels (9-8 overall record), looked to bounce back with a strong performance. The Colonels showed an aggressive approach from the beginning, scoring six buckets in the paint in the first quarter.

The Colonels, led by Marie Kenembeni’s 20 points, outscored the Privateers (1-17 overall record) by 10 points in the paint. They had 12 more rebounds than the Privateers, highlighted by Emani Burks’ game high of 10 showing their board dominance.

Kenembeni said that bouncing back from two conference losses at home by less than 10 points was not easy. 

“We had to work everyday. Waking up at 6 a.m., practice, workout and then practice again. So we just worked really hard for it,” said Kenembeni. 

This was Kenembeni’s sixth game with double-figures this season. 

“At the end of the day I just be out there having fun and hooping, the rest comes naturally,” she said.

The team attributed their dominant performance to sharing the basketball, playing together and selfless play.

The Colonels look ahead to their next game when they travel to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond on Saturday.