Dec. 15, 2007

Box Score

GALLIANO, La. - Junior Gil Verner provided a huge spark for the Colonels off the bench with a game high 17 points as he led Nicholls to a 72-60 win over Lipscomb on Saturday afternoon in South Lafourche High School's gym.

Verner, who was a point away from tying his career high in the win, was also joined by four other Colonels in double-figures. Following Verner was freshman Dominic Friend with 15, sophomore Michael Czepil with 13, and junior Ryan Bathie and senior Adonis Gray each put forth 10. Gray also recorded a game best nine rebounds (five offensive) in the win, which tied his career high in boards. Gray now has 1,043 career points and is 20th on the all-time scorers list.

"When we needed big plays, guys stepped up and made them. We really shot well, and needed to against a really good Lipscomb team," said head coach J.P. Piper. "I am really proud of the team in how they competed tonight."

The Bison, who had won the previous three meetings against the Colonels, were led by Eddie Ard with 16 points. The LaPlace, La. native also had a team best six rebounds. The only other Lipscomb player to cross the decade mark was Brandon Brown with 11 points.

Nicholls compiled a 53.1 percent (26-of-49) field goal mark and had a 47.1 percent (8-for-17) showing from downtown. The only area that Lipscomb shined brighter than Nicholls was from the free throw line as the Bison shot 75 percent (12-of-16) to the Colonels 70.6 percent (12-of-17).

The Colonels (4-7) jumped out to a 22-point lead, 36-14, at the 5:09 point in the first half, and went into the locker room at half up 40-24. Gray had eight of his nine rebounds at the half way point, and Bathie was the only player at the mandatory break in double-digits with 10.

In the second half, the Bison (4-7) stormed back to cut the deficit to five, 40-35, at the 14:33 mark, but Nicholls went on a 14-5 run that started at the 12:26 point and lasted for over three minutes to seal the victory.

Nicholls did also out rebound Lipscomb, 34-to-27, with each team having 10 offensive rebounds. The Colonels also had 32 points in the paint to Lipscomb's 22 in the victory.

The Colonels will venture off next to AP No.1 North Carolina on Wednesday Dec. 19. Tip-off will be at 8 p.m. CT in the Dean Dome, and all the action can be heard on 105.9 FM KBZE starting at 7:45 p.m.