THIBODAUX, La. – The Cardinals mounted a comeback to send the contest into an overtime period, but Nicholls was able to capitalize at the free throw line to capture the contest in overtime, 79-77, over Lamar in Thibodaux at the David R. Stopher Gymnasium.
 
The Cardinals got out to a slow start to begin the contest but found their grove as they brought the score to within one at the 6:33 mark of the first period. The Colonels held their home court defensively letting Lamar shoot just 28 percent in the quarter compared to their 31 percent. Nicholls controlled the board game in the first outrebounding the Cards, 12-10, in the frame. Despite 11 lead changes in the frame alone, the Colonels took the lead going into the second frame.
 
The Colonels came out of the short break and controlled much of the second quarter. Shooting 47 percent in the frame, Nicholls was able to capitalize on defense and limit the Cards to just 29 percent shooting. Lamar struggled in the second, but senior Jadyn Pimentel and redshirt junior Micaela Wilson were able to keep the Cardinals in the game going into halftime down just seven points, 32-25, against the Colonels.
 
Nicholls committed seven personal fouls as the Cardinals were able to drain seven free throws in the third to help them to get within four points of the Colonels. Despite shooting just 33 percent in the third, Lamar was able to account for seven rebounds and hit their only three-pointer.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Cards mount a comeback led by Wilson and junior Anyssia Gibbs. The Cardinals controlled the fourth has they shot 47 percent from the field while hitting eight of nine from the line. Lamar outrebounded Nicholls in the fourth, 9-6, while forcing six fouls by the Colonels. The Cardinals were able to capture the lead with seconds left, but a last second layup by Nicholls' Chelsea Cain tied up the contest, 70-70.
 
The overtime frame saw the Colonels regain the lead and hold onto it for the remainder of the game. The Cardinals were held to 28 percent shooting in the overtime frame compared to 66 percent shooting from Nicholls. Crucial fouls in the frame saw the Colonels go to the line multiple times and knock down five of six from the line as Nicholls was able to hold onto the win, 79-77, over the Cardinals.
 
Lead by three Cardinals in double digits, Wilson, Gibbs and senior Shedricka Pierson all tallied 18 points on the night. Wilson finished one rebound shy of her third double-double with nine rebounds on the night. Gibbs and Pierson both recorded a new career-high in scoring. Pimentel recorded 12 points on the night and added four assists and five steals.
 
UP NEXT: The Cardinals will be back in the Montagne Center on Saturday, February 13^th as they will welcome Houston Baptist in Southland Conference action. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. CT.