THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University women's basketball program released its 2013-14 schedule on Monday, highlighted by non-conference games at national powers Baylor and Texas A&M, a trip to Alaska and 12 home dates at Stopher Gym.

The Colonels, led by sixth-year head coach DoBee Plaisance, lose only one starter – leading scorer Alisha Allen – and return eight letterwinners from last season's record-breaking squad. In the previous two seasons, the women's team has set the program record for victories, winning 15 games in 2012 before notching 19 last season. 

"First of all, it's a different look without Alisha Allen out there. I really do miss her and everything that she contributed to our program. However, pairing up our veterans with our newcomers and freshmen, we will be ready to face the challenges of our aggressive non-conference schedule," said Nicholls sixth-year head coach DoBee Plaisance.

Nicholls has only three home games on the non-conference schedule, including the season opener on Nov. 8 against SUNO. The Colonels will host Texas Southern on Nov. 23 before their final home date on Dec. 2 against Louisiana Tech.

Following the opener against SUNO, the Colonels head to Waco, Texas for a date against Baylor on Nov. 14. The Lady Bears posted a 34-2 record last season and reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Nicholls will then play at South Alabama (Nov. 20) before heading to Anchorage for the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaskan Shootout where the Colonels will have two games, the first being on Nov. 26 against Georgetown.

In December, Nicholls will head to Texas A&M on the 17th. The Aggies also had an impressive 2012-13 campaign, winning 25 games including a victory in the NCAA Tournament. After games against Bethune-Cookman (20th) and Stetson (21st) in the Hatters Classic in DeLand, Fla., Nicholls wraps up its non-conference slate at Southern Miss (29th).

"We intentionally have an extremely demanding non-conference schedule in order to prepare for conference," Plaisance said. "With road games at national powerhouses Baylor and Texas A&M, along with matchups at South Alabama and Southern Miss and a home date against Louisiana Tech – our schedule is very steep."

Nicholls starts off with a favorable conference slate, playing five home games in January. The Colonels, who tied the program-record with 11 Southland victories last season, open up their conference schedule at home against New Orleans (2nd) and Southeastern Louisiana (4th). Following road games at Lamar (9th) and Sam Houston (11th), Nicholls comes back to Thibodaux to host Houston Baptist (16th) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (18th). The Colonels close out the month at McNeese State (21st) and at home against Oral Roberts (30th).

Nicholls begins February at home versus Central Arkansas (1st) before hitting the road for its next four contests – Stephen F. Austin (6th), Northwestern State (8th), New Orleans (13th) and Southeastern La. (15th). The Colonels' final home stand begins at the end of the month with two games – McNeese (22nd) and Abilene Christian (27th), and heads into March with a date against Incarnate Word (March 1).

The Colonels wrap up the regular season on the road at Houston Baptist (March 6) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 8).

The Southland Conference Tournament will be held at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, starting on March 12.

Season tickets for men's and women's basketball will be available for purchase at NichollsTickets.com on a later date.