March 5, 2008

BEAUMONT - The Lamar University women's basketball team wraps up their 2007-08 road schedule on Thursday night at 6:30 in Thibodaux, La., when they take on the Nicholls State Lady Colonels at Stopher Gym.

The Lady Cards won the previous meeting between the two teams 80-55 on February 7, at the Montagne Center.

The Lady Cardinals enter Thursday's game with a 15-12 overall record and are 8-6 in Southland Conference play. They are coming off of a 64-55 win over McNeese State in Lake Charles, La. With their eight SLC wins the LU women have clinched a post season tournament spot, and can secure the No. 4 seed with one more win.

Lamar is led by Nikki Williams who is averaging 13.7 points per game while averaging a team-best 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Tamara Abalde is averaging a team-high 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while Brittney Williams is averaging 13 points per contest. Aida Bakhos has also been solid for LU this year, averaging 7.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

As a team the Lady Cards are shooting .398 from the field and are averaging 64.4 points per game while allowing 63.8 points per game. Lamar has also won the battle on the boards this season, out rebounding their opponents 38.9 to 37.6.

Nicholls State enters the game with a 6-19 season record and a 4-10 mark in SLC play, on the heels of a 78-66 win over Central Arkansas last Saturday.

The Lady Colonels are led by Katherine Plummer's 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while Shelly West is averaging 9.1 points per game.

As a team NSU is averaging 59.8 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score 69.1 points per contest. They are shooting .364 from the field, while their opponents are connecting on .424 of their shots.

After Thursday's game against Nicholls State the Lady Cards will wrap up the regular season at home when they host the Lady Lions of Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Montagne Center.