Nicholls to host Kim Mulkey and powerhouse Baylor to highlight loaded 2017-18 women’s baketball schedule

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women’s basketball program has finalized its 2017-18 schedule, head coach DoBee Plaisance announced Friday. The slate features 13 home dates at Stopher Gymnasium, headlined by a visit from perennial NCAA power Baylor.

Winners of two national championships, 2005 and ’12, and seven straight Big 12 regular season championships, the Lady Bears will visit Thibodaux on Monday, Dec. 18. Under head coach Kim Mulkey, Baylor has made the NCAA Tournament in 16 of the last 17 seasons, including three Final Four appearances.

“We’re really excited about the matchup,” Coach Plaisance said. “I always look forward to being on the opposite bench of Hall of Fame coaches like Kim Mulkey, who is also a personal friend of mine. I think it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere with a lot of energy, especially since Baylor has a few Louisiana players. It will be a great night for basketball.”

Three days following the matchup with Baylor, Nicholls will close out its nonconference schedule as they hit the road to take on another Big 12 opponent, Iowa State. The Cyclones have also been a regular in the NCAAs, making 10 of the last 11 tournaments.

The Colonels open at SMU (Nov. 10) before making their home debut against Spring Hill College (Nov. 14). Following a matchup with WNIT qualifier Jacksonville at home (Nov. 18), Nicholls will head to Baton Rouge to face SEC power LSU (Nov. 21). The Tigers have their own impressive resume, highlighted by five consecutive Final Fours (2004-08)

‘It’s a very ambitious schedule,” Plaisance said. “We open up at SMU and then play at LSU and Iowa State, so those will be great road tests for us. I think it’s going to be beyond a great measuring tool to see where we are and I totally anticipate being more than competitive against those teams.”

The rest of the nonconference slate includes a Thanksgiving Tournament at Southeast Missouri State, a home game with SUNO (Nov. 29) and road contests at Jackson State (Dec. 2) and Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 15).

The Southland Conference schedule consists of 18 games, starting with a road game at Northwestern State (Dec. 28). The SLC Tournament will be held once again in Katy, Texas, where Nicholls looks to make an appearance for its seventh consecutive season.

Times for all of the games will be announced at a later date. For the latest news on Colonel women’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WBB.