Colonels head into final exams with momentum

Local standouts making their mark in college ranks
December 5, 2017
TFAE LOOKING AT LARGER GRANTS
December 6, 2017
Local standouts making their mark in college ranks
December 5, 2017
TFAE LOOKING AT LARGER GRANTS
December 6, 2017

The Nicholls State University women’s basketball team is off this week as players prepare for final exams.

But before hitting the books, the Colonels played some of their best games so far this season to head into the break with some momentum.

Nicholls whooped up on SUNO on Wednesday morning 83-45, then traveled and beat Jackson State 90-64 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 4-4 on the season.


The Colonels enter the break with a three-game winning streak and coach DoBee Plaisance said earlier this season that she thinks he team will play its best basketball when the stakes are at their highest – later in the season when Southland Conference play begins.

“We are feeling each other out right now and I think everyone is sort of coming together and learning the routine,” Plaisance said during a radio interview a few weeks ago. “We like our team. We like where it’s headed. With the good Lord’s blessing, we think we have a chance to have a really successful season, so we just want to keep working hard and trying to chase those goals.”

In the past week, the Colonels have flexed their muscles offensively.


Against SUNO, the Colonels put the game to bed early, then never looked back, outscoring their foe 23-2 in the opening quarter to soar to a huge lead.

Nicholls shot 50.9 percent from the floor in that game, including 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from behind the 3-point line.

The Colonels had 17 assists on 29 made field goals in the win and three players scored in double figures, led by Tykeria Williams, who had 22 points and four assists on just nine field goal attempts.


Bryanna Washington also pitched in 12, while Cassidy Barrios added 11 points with nine rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Williams is a tough matchup for opponents – a speedy, shifty guard who makes plays both inside and out.

Plaisance said she’s a game-changing player.


“She’s made an impact from her first day on the campus,” Plaisance said.

After the win against SUNO, the Colonels traveled to Mississippi for a date with Jackson State – a stiffer test, but another game that the Colonels dominated with their offensive prowess.

The Colonels shot 50 percent from the field in the win. The Colonels were again unselfish, posting 19 assists to 26 made field goals.


The Colonels penetrated the defense at will throughout the victory, which earned the team 42 free throws (the Colonels made 32).

Nicholls had seven players score 8 or more points in the win, led by Williams, who had 16 points. Senior guard Tia Charles pitched in 14, while Marina Lilly and Destiny Collins added 13.

The win was significant for the Colonels because Jackson State entered the game with a 4-1 record on the season.


It also allowed the Colonels to keep their momentum going forward into their break.

Nicholls will take 13 days off for final exams, then will head back to Mississippi for a Dec. 15 date at Mississippi Valley State.

The Colonels then will play their highest-profile game of the season – a Dec. 18 date at home against Baylor.


The Colonels open Southland Conference play in three weeks against Northwestern State. The team’s first home conference game will be on Jan. 3 against Stephen F. Austin.

A glance around the conference shows that the Colonels are about on par with everyone else.

After play on Saturday, the Colonels were third in the conference in wins and were one of eight teams in the Southland to be .500 or better at this point in the year.


Plaisance said she knows the Southland grind is tough, but added that she believes the Colonels have pieces to make a run.

“We had a lot of adversity last year,” Plaisance said. “A lot of injuries and a lot of things went against us. But we always say that if God puts you through it, then it’s to make you stronger, so here we are a year later and we think we’re stronger and more equipped for what’s ahead.” •

Nicholls athletics


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