SMU sneaks past Colonels women in opener, 68-61

DALLAS, Texas. – The Nicholls State University women’s basketball held the lead over SMU through nearly three quarters in the teams’ 2017-18 opener, but cold shooting in the second half allowed the Mustangs to escape with a 68-61 victory over Nicholls Friday afternoon at Moody Coliseum.

Nicholls had three players score in double figures, highlighted by an outstanding performance from junior Cassidy Barrios with 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Sophomore Tykeria Williams added 17 points and senior Tia Charles had 11, but the duo struggled from the field as they made just 9 of 39. As a team, the Colonels shot 27 percent from the field despite a blistering second quarter that saw them shoot 8 of 13.

The Colonels relied heavily on the 3-point shot, firing 33 of their total 67 field goal attempts from behind the arc. Nicholls connected on five in the first half but made only 1 of 18 following the break.

A slow start for Nicholls put them in a 9-0 hole, but the visitors held SMU in check as they put together an impressive 15-2 run. SMU regained the lead at 15-14 early in the second quarter before Williams drained back-to-back 3-pointers for a five-point advantage. SMU clawed back to make it 34-32 as the half winded down; however, Charles dished the ball off to Barrios for a 3-pointer right before the buzzer went off to end the quarter.

Despite shooting just 3 of 20 in the third, Nicholls maintained the lead up until a minute remaining in the period. The Colonels grabbed their largest advantage at 42-34 when freshman Destiny Collins (9 points) converted her second basket-and-one of the game. SMU eventually tied the game at 48 on a 3-pointer by McKenzie Adams, who finished with a game-high 38 points. Adams’ free throws at the end of the quarter gave SMU a 50-49 lead.

In the fourth, the Colonels went scoreless through the first five minutes as SMU went up 55-50. The Mustangs grabbed an eight-point led before Nicholls made a late comeback. Down six with 30 seconds to go, the Colonels received a 3-ball from Charles to make it a one-possession game. Williams followed with her seventh steal of the day, but Charles misfired on a 3-pointer that would have tied it. SMU closed out the game with four free throws to make the final.

Barrios finished 4 of 10 from the field and 9 of 10 at the free throw line. Her 16 rebounds were the most for a Colonel since Alisha Allen had 17 against UT Arlington on Jan. 7, 2012.

UP NEXT

Nicholls is set to make its home debut on Tuesday, Nov. 14 against Spring Hill College. Tipoff at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m.