SFA Ladyjacks rally past Nicholls Colonels to reach semifinals of Southland Tournament

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 10, 2026)  The defending champion Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks showed why they are tough to beat in the Southland Conference tournament. They came from behind to beat the Nicholls Colonels 63–60 on Tuesday afternoon at the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Championship.

Nicholls started strong. Led by Sh’Diamond McKnight, the Colonels jumped out to a 17–9 lead after the first quarter. They pushed their advantage to 11 points in the second quarter and took a 29–23 lead into halftime. SFA struggled early, making only 33 percent of their shots in the first half.
The Ladyjacks exploded for 27 points in the third quarter. They played tough defense and pushed the ball fast in transition. Myka Perry and Harmanie Dominguez led the charge. SFA turned their six-point deficit into a 50–46 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The final period was full of excitement. Both teams traded baskets, but SFA kept finding answers. Perry hit a big three-point play late in the third to give her team some space. The Ladyjacks’ defense stepped up with key stops in the closing minutes to hold on for the win.
Myka Perry led SFA with 18 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. She controlled the boards during the comeback. Key Roseby added 13 points, and Harmanie Dominguez scored 11, including several important shots in the third-quarter run.
McKnight had a game-high 21 points for Nicholls, but SFA limited extra chances in the end.With the victory, the No. 3 seed Ladyjacks move on to the semifinals. They will face No. 2 Lamar on Wednesday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ in a rematch of last year’s semifinal.

Vaqueros dominate in historic tournament debut, Roll past Nicholls 86-68

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 9, 2026)  In their very first Southland Conference men's basketball tournament game, the UTRGV Vaqueros sent a loud message: "They belong here."

The No. 3 seed Vaqueros dominated from start to finish, cruising to an impressive 86–68 quarterfinal win over the Nicholls Colonels on Monday night.
UTRGV jumped out strong and never looked back. Sharp shooting and balanced scoring kept Nicholls on its heels all evening.
The Vaqueros finished the night red-hot, shooting 58.5 percent from the field and connecting on 50 percent of their three-point attempts. They were flawless at the free-throw line, going a perfect 12-for-12. Five players reached double figures as UTRGV's offense clicked on every level.
Filip Brankovic led the charge with 21 points, hitting 9 of 12 shots while adding five rebounds and three assists in a complete performance. Koree Cotton poured in 18 points and dished out five assists. Jaylen Washington added 15 points, Marvin McGhee III scored 13, and Julien Gomez contributed 12 to keep the scoring spread out.
The Vaqueros took control in the first half, building momentum and heading to the locker room with a 44–32 lead. They stayed aggressive after the break, shooting a sizzling 68 percent from the field in the second half and pushing the lead to as many as 25 points.
Nicholls grabbed a brief early lead, but UTRGV answered with a big run midway through the opening period. After that, the Vaqueros led for more than 39 minutes and never let the Colonels get closer than 10 points in the second half.
Trae English paced Nicholls with 17 points, and Jalin Rice added 13 for the Colonels.The victory improves UTRGV to 19–13 on the season and sends them into the semifinals for the first time in program history as Southland members.
Next up, the Vaqueros will take on No. 2 seed McNeese Cowboys on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. CT. A win would put UTRGV in the conference championship game.

Nicholls pulls away in second half to defeat UIW in tournament opener

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 9, 2026)  The No. 7 seeded Nicholls Colonels used a huge second half to defeat the No. 6 seed UIW Cardinals 81–55 on Monday afternoon in the opening round of the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Women's Basketball Championships.

The win marks the second straight year the Colonels have earned a first-round victory as the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament.

Nicholls trailed by one point at halftime, 27–26, after a tight first half. Both teams struggled to create separation, and the Cardinals held a small edge heading into the break.

The game changed quickly in the third quarter.

Nicholls came out with strong energy and took control of the game. The Colonels outscored UIW 31–14 in the quarter and shot an impressive 66.7 percent from the field. They were also perfect at the free-throw line, making all 11 attempts during the period. By the end of the third quarter, Nicholls had built a comfortable double-digit lead.

The Colonels kept the momentum going in the fourth quarter. Their lead grew to as many as 26 points as they closed out the game in dominant fashion.

Sh’Diamond McKnight (No. 11, shown above) led Nicholls with a strong all-around performance. She scored 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting and went 10-for-11 from the free-throw line. McKnight also added three assists and three steals.

Anyra Wilson contributed 14 points and three assists, while Jesslynn Jalomo finished with nine points and four rebounds.

Nicholls shot 50 percent from the field and made 21 of its 23 free throws. The Colonels also forced 18 turnovers, turning those mistakes into 26 points.

UIW (13–17) was led by Brynn Lusby with 22 points. Madison Cockrell added 16 points. The Cardinals struggled from long distance, making just two of their 22 three-point attempts.

With the win, Nicholls moves on to face No. 3 seed Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks basketball in the quarterfinals Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

Nicholls Colonels downs Northwestern State to advance in Southland Conference tournament

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 8, 202) Nicholls Colonels used a strong defensive effort to defeat the Northwestern State Demons 61–47 on Sunday night in the opening round of the Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at Townsley Law Arena.

The win was powered by one of Nicholls’ best defensive performances of the season. The Colonels held Northwestern State to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field and kept the Demons under 25 points in both halves. The 47 points allowed marked the fewest points Nicholls has given up in a game this season.

With the victory, Nicholls improved to 14–18 on the year and moved on to face the UTRGV Vaqueros men's basketball in the tournament quarterfinals.

Offensively, the Colonels had several players step up. Sincere Malone led the team with 14 points and added three steals. Jalik Dunkley (No. 22, shown above) scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Jalin Rice finished with 12 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting performance. Jaylen Searles added nine points, and Grant Sanders contributed seven rebounds and four assists.

The game started slowly for both teams. Nicholls struggled to find its rhythm early and shot just 35.7 percent in the first half. Despite the slow start, the Colonels held a narrow 25–24 lead at halftime. Rice scored on a layup with 16 seconds left in the half to give Nicholls the one-point edge heading into the break.

Nicholls controlled the second half from the start. The Colonels held the lead throughout the period but finally pulled away midway through the half. Leading 40–34, Searles and Christian Winborne scored back-to-back baskets in the paint to extend the lead.

Moments later, Malone came up with a steal and raced down the court for a fast-break layup. He then knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead into double digits. Sanders later found Rice for a basket and a free throw, giving Nicholls a comfortable 51–35 advantage.

The Colonels kept the lead in double figures during the final eight minutes to secure the victory. Nicholls also completed a season sweep over Northwestern State with the win.

For the Demons, Izzy Miles led the team with 14 points, while Landyn Jumawan added 12 points. Despite those efforts, Northwestern State could not overcome the strong defense from Nicholls.

Nicholls advances in SLC Tourney with 66-63 win over UTRGV

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La VIta Loca Photography, Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA  (March 10, 2025) The Nicholls Colonels women's basketball team (shown above) edged out the UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros with a 66-63 victory in the first round of the Southland Conference Basketball Championships.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Nicholls built a 16-12 advantage midway through the first quarter, but UTRGV's defense responded, holding the Colonels scoreless for nearly five minutes to regain momentum.

In the second quarter, the physicality intensified as both teams battled for control. UTRGV's O'Keefe showcased her strength inside, contributing crucial points to keep the Vaqueros competitive.

As the game progressed, neither team could establish a decisive lead. The final minutes were marked by intense back-and-forth action, with both squads displaying resilience and determination. Ultimately, Nicholls managed to secure the win with a late-game surge, advancing to the next round of the tournament.

This victory sets up a matchup between Nicholls and the Incarnate Word Cardinals, who recently notched their program's first Southland Tournament win by defeating Southeastern Louisiana 71-67 in overtime.

Nicholls men's basketball moves on in SLC Tournament win over TAMU-Commence

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 10, 2024) Nicholls State University's men's basketball team showed true grit and determination in their dominant 72-51 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M-Commerce in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Southland Conference Tournament. With this impressive win, Nicholls (19-13) now sets its sights on the semifinals where they'll square off against No. 2 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The Colonels' defense was the star of the show once again, holding the Lions (13-20) to a mere 32 percent shooting. This stellar defensive effort limited A&M-Commerce to just 51 points, matching their lowest scoring output against a league opponent all season.

On the offensive end, Nicholls was firing on all cylinders, shooting an impressive 56 percent from the field. Leading the charge was Robert Brown III, who lit up the scoreboard with 18 points, including 5 of 6 from three-point range. Diante Smith also made his mark, contributing 14 points while shooting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Not to be outdone, Quinn Strander had a career night with 11 points on a perfect 4 of 4 shooting, along with five assists and two steals.

Nicholls set the tone early, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and never looking back. They maintained a double-digit lead for much of the game, thanks to their efficient offense and suffocating defense.

In addition to their offensive prowess, the Colonels dominated the boards, outrebounding the Lions by 12. 

Nicholls State overcomes New Orleans in close battle at SLC Championsip

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 11, 2024) In a thrilling showdown at the Southland Conference Tournament, the Nicholls State University women's basketball team showcased their prowess with a solid 73-66 triumph over New Orleans. The game was a rollercoaster ride, with the Colonels trailing at halftime but bouncing back with a vengeance in the second half.

Led by senior guard Kyla Hamilton (Sam Houston HS, Moss Bluff, LA), the Colonels turned up the heat when it mattered most. Hamilton's clutch performance included 18 points, with seven of those crucial points coming in the fourth quarter. She also played a pivotal role on defense, tallying four steals alongside her seven assists and six rebounds.

Mikayla Etienne (Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA) proved to be a game-changer off the bench, lighting up the court with 19 points, including some impressive three-pointers. Lexi Alexander, an All-Southland second team member, delivered a stellar performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season.

Deonna Brister also made her presence felt with 12 points in the second half, shooting a perfect 4-4 from the field. Her contributions on both ends of the court, including five rebounds and three steals, were instrumental in securing the victory for the Colonels.

Despite a valiant effort from New Orleans, led by Nora Francois and DeArica Pryor, who combined for 41 points, the Privateers couldn't withstand Nicholls State's relentless defense and efficient offense.

This win not only breaks a five-game losing streak against New Orleans but also marks Nicholls State's first postseason victory since 2021. 

McNeese Cowboys stuns No. 12 Nicholls Colonels 43-13

Photo by 
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (April 3, 2021) Coming into the game with a 2-3 record and being listed as a two-touchdown underdog, the McNeese Cowboys stunned the No. 13 Nicholls Colonels by the score of 43-31 on Louis Bonnette Field at Cowboys Stadium In Lake Charles. The win raises the Cowboys season record to 3-3 and their Southland Conference record to 2-3. The loss dropped Nicholls to 4-2  (3-2 in conference) and virtually eliminated them from the FCS playoffs.

After trading fumbles early in the first quarter, the Colonels got on the scoreboard when quarterback Lindsay Scott (Zachary HS, Zachary, Louisiana) connected with wide receiver Dontzae Costly (St. James HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) on a 10-yard pass for the first score of the game. Kicker Gavin Lasseigne (Central Lafourche HS, Raceland, Louisiana) split the uprights for the extra point to give Nicholls a 7-0 lead at the 7:38 mark of the quarter. The Cowboys responded three minutes later with a 42-yard field goal by kicker Jacob Abel (Goddard Eisenhower HS, Goddard; Kansas) to cut the Nicholls lead to four. The Colonels pushed the score to 14-2 with eight seconds remaining in the quarter when Scott found wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon (Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) open; flicking a two-yard pass over the line for their second TD of the game. Again, Lasseigne converted the extra point to end the quarter with a 14-3 score.

Then, something “came over” the Cowboys in the second quarter; scoring 21 unanswered points to take the score to 24-14 in favor of McNeese. Quarterback Cody Orgeron (Mandeville HMS, Mandeville, Louisiana, shown above right, number 8) threw to wide receiver Mason Pierce (Dawson HS, Pearland, Texas shown left, No. 89) for two touchdowns; the first a four-yarder followed by a 95-yard pass. The first TD capped a four-play, 85-yard drive that lasted 32 seconds. The second touchdown lasted eight seconds and consisted of a single play. In between the touchdowns, Wide receiver Walker Wood (Lafayette HS, Lexington, Kentucky) carried the ball the final four yards of an 86-yard, seven play drive that lasted 2:59. Nichols was finally able to stop the Cowboys’ scoring punch with a 26-yard Lasseigne field goal with 4:24 left in the first half, taking the score to 24-17 at the half.

At the 12:08 mark of the third quarter, the Cowboys increased their lead when Orgeron found wide receiver Joshua Matthews (Dunham HS, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) open and connected for a 26-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 30-17. Jacob Abel added the extra point, as he did on all previous McNeese touchdowns, to give the Cowboys a 14-point lead. Nicholls responded with 5:43 left in the third quarter with an eight-yard run by running back Julien Gums (De La Sale HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) to cut the McNeese lead to one possession (24-17).

After 2:12 of play into the fourth quarter, Orgeron again found Matthew; this time with a 13-yard pass to allow McNeese to regain a 13-point lead. Unfortunately, Abel’s conversion kick failed, his first miss of the day.  It did not take much time for Nicholls to regain some of the momentum they had in the first quarter. Lindsay again found Dixon on a first-and-ten play, with an 11-yard pass to complete their 75-yard drive in 1:31. Lasseigne again added the conversion to take the score to 37-31 with 11:17 left on the clock. McNeese put the nail in the Colonels’ coffin 56 seconds later with a 67-yard run by running back Deonta McMahon (Frostproof HS, Frostproof, Florida). After the score, Nicholls took possession of the ball but could not find the endzone.

For McNeese, Orgeron completed 20-of-27 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns. Parker carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards and three touchdowns while Matthews and Pierce ahd two touchdowns each in the air. Defensive back Enos Lewis (Miami Central HS, Miami, Florida) accounted for 11 total tackles, with nine of them being solo.

Scott completed 26-of-53 passes for 289 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for Nicholls. Dixon caught seven passes for 69 yards and two TDs, with Scott carrying the ball 28 times for 127 yards.

Next up for the Cowboys will be a 4 p.m. CDT matchup on Saturday, April 10, against Sam Houston State (4-0, 4-0 SLC) in Huntsville, Texas while Nicholls will host No. 22 Southeastern Louisiana at 3 p.m. CDT on the same date.