THIBODAUX, La. — For a half, Nicholls played even with Central Arkansas, looking poised to threaten the Sugar Bears' unblemished Southland Conference record.

Until Antonija Bozic had other ideas.

With the score knotted at 25 coming out of the locker room, Bozic got the Sugar Bears going with 12 straight points in the second half – knocking down 4-of-4 from long range in less than 3 minutes – as they equaled their conference-season high with 24 points in the quarter en route to a 44-23 second half as they rolled to a 69-48 victory over the Colonels at Stopher Gym.

It was the 23rd straight victory against Southland teams for the Sugar Bears (13-4, 6-0 Southland), who defeated the Colonels (8-9, 3-3) for the fourth consecutive time and extend their current winning streak to eight games while winning for the 13th straight time in road and neutral-site games against conference foes.

After Bozic's outburst early in the 3rd, Kierra Jordan took over on the offensive end for the Sugar Bears over the last half of the quarter, scoring 8 of Central Arkansas' last 12 as they built a 49-37 lead going into the final period.

In the fourth quarter Kamry Orr scored half of her career-high 32 – singlehandedly outscoring the Colonels by five, shooting 4 of 7 from the field (including 3-for-3 from 3-point range) while going 5 of 6 at the free throw line. It was the highest point total for a Sugar Bear since Maggie Proffitt's 32 on February 27, 2016 against Southeastern Louisiana.

Orr – who also led the Sugar Bears with four assists on Saturday – wrapped up a week in which she averaged 29.5 points and 3.5 steals, was 6-of-10 from 3-point range and hit 89.5 percent (17 of 19) of her free throws.

Taylor Baudoin had her second double-double of the season and 8th of her Central Arkansas career, getting 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Jordan had 6 rebounds to go with her 11 points, also registering block, steal and an assist. Taylor Sells added 4 points, tied for the team lead with 6 rebounds and had 3 assists.

With Bozic and Orr combining to go 7-for-7 on their 3-point attempts in the 2nd half, the Sugar Bears were 7 of 9 (77.8 percent) from long range in the second half, recovering from a first half in which they struggled to the tune of 35.7 percent shooting overall and just 13.3 percent (2 of 15) from 3-point range.

The Sugar Bears finished with 11 assists on 24 made field goals while Nicholls had just 3 on 18. The Sugar Bears had their way on the boards against the Colonels, winning the rebounding battle for the 9th straight game  – posting a 33-17 advantage, upping their total over their opponents' to 64 during that span.

The Colonels' 17 rebounds was the fewest the Sugar Bears have allowed this season, while the three assists is their second-lowest total given up. In all this week, the Sugar Bears surrendered just 7 assists.They kept the Colonels to a single offensive rebound and no second-chance points after allowing just four to Incarnate Word on Wednesday.

Nicholls' Cassidy Barrios – who came in averaging 15.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 steals in conference play – was held to 11, 5, 0 and 0 on Saturday. Tia Charles led the Colonels with 14 points.

Following their back-to-back road wins this week, the Sugar Bears head home for their next two, hosting New Orleans on Wednesday and Abilene Christian – last year's Southland regular-season co-champion with the Sugar Bears – next Saturday.

NOTES
• The Sugar Bears improve to 24-1 against Southland teams in road & neutral-site games over the last three seasons, a .960 winning percentage
•The 69 points equals the Sugar Bears' highest total of the conference season and is their most since scoring 75 against Central Baptist College (NAIA) on Dec. 4
• By giving up 48 points, the Sugar Bears have allowed 50 or less in 8 straight games
• The Sugar Bears have won 7 of their last 9 in Thibodaux
• Orr's 59 points was the most for a Sugar Bear in a two-game span since Megan Herbert had the same total against McNeese and Oral Roberts on March 2 & 9, 2013. The last time a Sugar Bear scored 60 or more over two games was Dec. 14 & 19, 2009 when Herbert had 68 against Southeast Missouri and Wiley College

QUOTES
Associate Head Coach Greg Long
"At halftime, Coach Rushing looked at Antonija and said 'you're going to hit those shots. Get in there and hit them.' And Antonija had the right mindset, did a great job and went in there and knocked down the shots."

"These girls really came out and took it to heart at the half. They came out in the 2nd half and tried to do more of what Coach was asking. There was more movement, we were more in sync. I think it was the 4th quarter we've had in a long time."

"The stats don't lie – Kamry's presence has been huge for us. What she's been able to do is help kind of complete a 5-man game out there. We've got KJ down low; Tay B can step out or go down low; Sells penetrates; Angel's an outside shooter; and Kam has kind of been an x-factor at the guard spot. She's a dual threat, she can shoot it outside or get to the hole."

"Once again Taylor Sells did a phenomenal job rebounding for us from the guard spot. KJ had some huge rebounds, Tay B made some great hustle plays – gave us some 2nd opportunities and reset the shot clock. It was a great team win."