LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese State's women's basketball (6-7, 1-1 SLC) and fresh off its 74-57 Southland Conference win over Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, returns home since its Dec. 18 exhibiton game against Southern (N.O.) to begin a four game home stand against Nicholls Monday night in its SLC home opener. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Burton Coliseum. The Cowgirls will remain home to host Texas A&M-Corpus Christ Saturday, Sam Houston State (Jan. 12) and Lamar (Jan. 19).



The Cowgirls continue to be led in scoring by senior guard Ashlyn Baggett (17.3 ppg.) who is the fifth leading scorer in the SLC. Also averaging in double figures is twin sister Caitlyn, who is averaging 14.5 ppg. and ranks seventh in the league in scoring. Caitlyn also leads the team with an 81.9 free throw percent and 4.4 assists per game.



Sophomore Alaina Verdin is the other Cowgirl averaging in double figures with 12.0 ppg. Verdin also leads with a 41.2 three-point field goal percent.



Juniors Arianna James and Cecilia Okoye lead the Cowgirls in rebounds with 6.8 and 6.6, respectively. James ranks seventh in the league while Okoye ranks eighth. James leads the Cowgirls with 1.7 steals. Okoye leads the Cowgirls with a 55.6 field goal percent.



As a team, McNeese ranks second in the league in scoring (68.4 ppg.), third in scoring defense and fourth in three-point field goal percent.



Nicholls (9-4, 1-1 SLC) is coming off a 69-66 home win over Oral Roberts. The Colonels dropped a 72-56 SLC opener to Central Arkansas.



Alisha Allen leads the team in scoring (14.6 ppg.) and is one of two Colonels averaging in double figures. KK Babin is averaging 12.2 ppg. and leads the team with a 41.8 three-point field goal percent. Jasmine Scott is the team's leading rebounder with 5.5 rpg. And a 58.5 field goal shooting percent