LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's basketball came away with a 73-65 win over Nicholls here Thursday behind a solid defensive effort and double figure scoring from Zuzanna Kulinska and Desirae Hansen in the first of a four game home stand.
 
The Cowgirls (7-10, 2-2 SLC) held Chelsea Cain, the league's leading scorer to eight points. Cain entered the game averaging 23.0 ppg. in conference play.
 
"We did a great job on defense against Cain and we got her in foul trouble early on which was part of our game plan," said head coach Lynn Kennedy. What I love about our team tonight is earlier in the season we couldn't have won this game. We didn't shoot the ball well tonight but we found a way to win. I thought our fourth quarter intensity and the energy we had on defense and we closed the gap on the rebounding end that really helped us finish the game."
 
The win snapped a five game losing streak against the Colonels and was the first win in Lake Charles over Nicholls since 2017.
 
McNeese held a double digit lead for most of the fourth quarter including its largest lead of the game at 14 with 3:43 to plays behind a three-point play from Divine Tanks and a three-pointer from Kaili Chamberlin.
 
Kulinska tied her career high with 18 points on 6 of 11 from the field and 5 of 7 free throws while Hansen scored in double figures in her third straight game. Hansen was 6 of 12 from the field including one three-pointer.     
 
McNeese jumped out to a 11-4 lead midway through the first quarter then went cold that allowed to take a 16-11 lead. McNeese scored the final four points of the quarter from the free throw line to cut the Nicholls lead to 16-15.
 
Hansen's jumper two minutes into the second quarter not only gave the Cowgirls a 17-16 lead that snapped nearly an eight minute drought without a field goal. McNeese would go onto to outscore Nicholls 8-3 to take a 25-19. Following three ties and with the score tied at 34 late in the quarter, Kyla Hamilton's three-pointer gave McNeese a 37-34 lead and one they would hold at the halftime.
 
Nicholls (3-12, 1-3 SLC) also placed two player in double figure scoring with Chyna Allen leading all players with 25 points. Kyrstin Green chipped in with 11 points.
 
McNeese will remain home to host New Orleans this Saturday. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
 
GAME NOTES

• first win in the Legacy Center this season
• snapped a five game losing skid to Nicholls
• first win against Nicholls in Lake Charles since Feb. 18, 2017
• Zuzanna Kulinska tied her career high with 18 points
• Desirae Hansen scored in double figures for the third straight game
• Cowgirls held the SLC leading scorer to eight points, 15 points below her average of 23.0 ppg. in league games