Dec. 30, 2007

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Nicholls came out flat in the first half, and despite out scoring UNLV in the second stanza, the Colonels fell to the Runnin' Rebels 64-42 in the Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday.

True freshman Anatoly Bose established a new career high with a game best 17 points in the loss, while senior Adonis Gray added 10 of his own to round out the Colonels double-digit scorers. The Runnin' Rebels had three players in double-figures with Wink Adams leading UNLV with 13. Matt Shaw added 12 while Corey Bailey had 11 to close out the Runnin' Rebels 10-plus scorers in the contest.

"We are in a funk right now," said head coach J.P. Piper. "I know we can get out of it, and to do so, we are just going to have to keep working together as a team."

The Colonels (4-10) had turnover woes in the first half as they committed 13 that led to 15 Runnin' Rebel points as UNLV (10-3) went into the locker room at halftime up 35-11. The Runnin' Rebels also out rebounded the Colonels 26-to-13 in the first period, with sophomore Chris Paige leading Nicholls with a team best five. Leading Nicholls in points at the break was Gray with four.

In the second half, Nicholls out scored UNLV 31-to-29, but it was not enough for the Colonels to get back within striking distance. In the loss, Paige was one rebound shy of tying his career high with eight boards in the contest while playing 17 minutes.

Both teams shot an identical 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from three-point territory, while UNLV was better on the floor with a 37.3 percent (22-of-59) mark from field goal range to the Colonels 30.6 percent (15-of-49) showing. The Runnin' Rebels out rebounded the Colonels 49-to-31 as UNLV accumulated 19 offensive boards in the win.

Nicholls will close out the Duel in the Desert Tournament tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. against Kennesaw State. The Owls (2-10) have also suffered losses to Minnesota and UNLV in the tournament. The game can be heard on 105.9 FM KBZE and on 640 AM KTIB starting at 3:15 p.m. with Brennan Matherne providing the play-by-play. The contest can also be heard on the internet at www.kbze.com and followed live statistically at www.geauxcolonels.com.

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