THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State used a 9-0 run midway through the second quarter to take the lead for good, pulling away down the stretch for the 74-59 win over the ULM women's basketball team Tuesday night at Stopher Gymnasium.
"We've got to get better," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "Nicholls did the little things tonight, and we didn't. We've just got to be able to execute on both ends a whole lot better."
Early, Nicholls took a seven-point lead over ULM at 13-6, but the Warhawks closed the first quarter on a 9-0 run, capped on a banked-in 3-pointer by junior Whitney Goins just before the buzzer, to give ULM a 15-13 lead.
The Colonels (3-6) trailed ULM 18-16 with 7:02 to play in the second quarter after a free throw by senior Lauren Fitch. Nicholls then embarked on a 9-0 run to seize control, going up by seven at 25-18, and extending the lead to eight at halftime, 28-20.
In the third quarter, Nicholls made just three field goals, but managed to extend its lead by two points thanks to the free throw line. The Colonels drew 11 fouls on the Warhawks in the quarter and stepped to the line 19 times, knocking down 14 free throws. ULM was never able to get any closer than seven points, at 47-40 on a 3-pointer by freshman Linda van Schaik.
It was more of the same in the fourth quarter, as the Colonels steadily pulled away through a combination of efficiency from the field (5-of-9 in the quarter) and at the line. Nicholls was 10-of-12 from the stripe in the fourth quarter, as they led by as much as 20 before winning 74-59.
Nicholls attempted 31 of their 35 free throws in the second half.
Van Schaik picked up her first career double-figure game, leading the Warhawks in scoring with 12 points.
"Linda has been living in the gym," Williams said. "It makes a difference. It's made a difference for her. It certainly makes a difference when you spend that extra free time in the gym. I was happy to see her have some success tonight."
Fitch also finished in double figures for ULM with 10 points. Nicholls was paced by a double-double from Chrystal Ezechukwu, scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Airi Hamilton added 14 points and Tykeria Williams tallied 12 for the Colonels.
ULM finished the night shooting 38.9% (21-of-54) from the field, 22.2% (4-of-18) from 3-point range and 65.0% at the free throw line (13-of-20). The Warhawks picked up 31 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals and 19 turnovers. Nicholls shot 42.0% (21-of-50) from the floor, 45.5% (5-of-11) from the 3-point line and 77.1% (27-of-35) from the foul line. The Colonels tallied 37 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals, four blocks and 17 turnovers.
ULM returns to action with an exhibition game against Louisiana College at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Admission is free. Links to live video and stats are available at ULMWarhawks.com.
