The Nicholls Colonels defeated the East Texas A&M Lions 69-49 on Tuesday to close out the regular season.

With this win, the Colonels (14-15, 10-12 SLC) moved up and secured the seventh spot in the Southland Conference tournament – set to be held March 9-12, in Lake Charles; subsequently bumping the Lions (13-16, 9-13 SLC) down to the eighth spot.

“I wanted them to not have any pressure, and just play free,” said head coach Justin Payne. 

“It’s the last home game, let’s have fun, but let’s make sure we’re putting everything together before we go to the tournament.”

Breaking the Game Down

The Colonels came out aggressive from the opening tip, stealing the ball seven times in the first quarter en route to a 17-8 lead at the end of the quarter. The Colonels finished the game with 16 steals; led by Tanita Swift and Anyra Wilson who each had four.

Swift said the coaches drilled them all week on “keeping their man in front of them” and “closing the backdoor” which allowed them to come away with so many steals.

The Colonels channeled the same aggression on offense, driving down hill creating 

opportunities for extra points at the free throw line. 

By the end of the first half, the Colonels had attempted 10 free throws compared to the Lions three. 

Sh’Diamond McKnight led the way making five of her six first half free throw attempts, finishing the game six of seven from the line and scoring 15 total points.

“Coach always wants me to get downhill,” McKnight said, “Every time I attack I go downhill first and if I don’t have anything, of course they’re going to foul me because I’m already there. They’re going to have to foul me every time!”

A strong opening half from Wilson: eight points on perfect shooting, five rebounds and two steals, also helped propel the Colonels to take a 31-18 lead into halftime. 

“Whether it’s scoring, rebounds, assists or playing defense I’m willing to do whatever it takes for me to win and for my team to win,” Wilson said. 

In the second half, it was more of the same from the Colonels. Dominant performances from Sanaiya Morris who scored a season high 16 points : 10 in the second half, and Jasmine Matthews who finished with 15 points: 10 in the second half, pushed the Colonels lead further. 

“I went out there with a lot of energy offensively,” Morris said. 

“Whether it was offensive rebounds or putbacks I was just trying to give my team as much as I could, knowing that we’re wrapping up our regular season.”

The Colonels, who never trailed or tied , after 0-0,  and at one point led by 25 went on to secure the victory 69-49.

“The important thing for us was to play a complete game, like we did,” Payne said.

Notable Performances

• Anyra Wilson scored 10 points on a team best 100% shooting, tied a team high with five rebounds, dished two assists and tied a team high four steals.
• Tanita Swift scored three points, grabbed three rebounds and got one assist, but her true impact was felt on defense as she had a team high with four steals as well.
• Sh’Diamond McKnight scored 15 points, tied the team high with five rebounds, drew eight fouls and grabbed three steals.
• Sanaiya Morris led all scorers and set a new season high with 16 points, tied for team high with five rebounds – tied team high with four offensive – and added one steal.
• Jasmine Matthews scored 15 points, tied the team high with all four of her rebounds being offensive and picked up one steal, in just 12 minutes of play.