WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Nicholls knocks off Lamar in OT, 79-77

THIBODAUX, La. – Chelsea Cain and Anna McKendree each scored in the final 30 seconds of regulation to force overtime and the Nicholls State University women’s basketball team went on to outlast Lamar University, 79-77, Wednesday night in Stopher Gymnasium.

Cain recorded a double-double with a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds and her driving layup with six seconds remaining knotted the game at 70-all.

In overtime, Nicholls (7-10, 6-4 SLC) scored the first six points and led the entire extra period, but Lamar (5-11, 4-4 SLC) had a chance to tie it after stealing the inbounds pass with 1.2 seconds to go. Jadyn Pimentel broke free but her layup came after the buzzer sounded, giving the Colonels a two-point win to avenge an earlier loss to LU.

Cain was one of three Colonels to score in double figures, joined by McKendree (17 points) and Chyna Allen (12). McKendree filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists, and Allen dished out seven helpers before fouling out.

Nicholls shot 50 percent from the field and made 20 of 26 at the free throw line. Each team was whistled for 22 fouls and it contributed to a high-scoring affair in the fourth quarter as squads combined for 50 points.

The Colonels carried a 32-25 lead into halftime, which was their largest advantage of the night.

Lamar went ahead in the third, 38-34 before Nicholls came back and grabbed a 39-38 lead on a McKendree 3-pointer. Allen then closed out the quarter with a layup before the buzzer to put Nicholls ahead, 47-43.

In the fourth, Nicholls matched its largest lead of seven points at the 8:19 mark before LU made a run. The Cardinals cut the deficit to one five times before finally going ahead 67-66 on a Pimentel steal and layup with 39 seconds remaining. McKendree answered with a layup and things then looked bleak for the Red and Gray as Anyssia Gibbs converted a basket-and-one for a two-point lead.

But Cain delivered the game-tying bucket and Pimentel’s last-second jumper was off the mark.

In overtime, Cain gave Nicholls a 76-70 edge after scoring off a Terris McKay assist. The Colonels then added three more free throws down the stretch to hang on for the victory.

Gibbs was one of three LU players to score 18 in the loss, joined by Shedricka Pierson and Micaela Wilson.