LAKE CHARLES, La. — No. 7 seed Nicholls delivered a dominant second-half performance to defeat No. 6 seed UIW 81–55 on Monday afternoon in the opening round of the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Basketball Championships presented by the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

The victory marks the second straight year the Colonels have won a first-round game as the No. 7 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament.

After trailing 27–26 at halftime, Nicholls erupted in the third quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 31–14 to seize control of the game. The Colonels shot 66.7 percent from the field in the period and were a perfect 11-for-11 at the free throw line as the lead ballooned to double digits entering the final quarter.

Nicholls continued to pull away in the fourth, extending the margin to as many as 26 points to seal the victory.

Sh’Diamond McKnight led the Colonels with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting and went 10-for-11 at the free throw line while adding three assists and three steals. Anyra Wilson added 14 points and three assists, and Jesslynn Jalomo chipped in nine points and four rebounds.

The Colonels shot 50 percent from the field and were highly efficient at the free throw line, converting 21-of-23 attempts. Nicholls also forced 18 turnovers that led to 26 points.

UIW (13–17) was led by Brynn Lusby with 22 points, while Madison Cockrell added 16. The Cardinals struggled from the perimeter, shooting just 2-of-22 from three-point range.

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