Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - The Demons jumped out to a 12-point lead to start the game, but Nicholls found a rhythm shooting and played relentless defense to come back and defeat in-state and conference rival Northwestern State 82-60 in Stopher Gym on Thursday night.

"Our guys played with a purpose and sense of urgency tonight," said head coach J.P. Piper. "I'm proud of them. They executed almost to perfection, and we needed to in order to defeat a really sound Northwestern (State) team."

The Colonels (8-20, 3-10) gave up a 25-13 lead early as the Demons (12-16, 8-6) made their first five shots - four of them from behind the arc - en rout to building the 12-point lead at the 10:53 mark. However, from that moment on, Nicholls took over the game as they went on a 30-5 run over the next 8:40 to build a 41-30 lead with 1:47 left in the second half.

When the clock's last seconds ticked off to end the first half, Nicholls found themselves with a 46-33 lead over the SLC East second place Northwestern State. The 46-points was the second most points scored in a half by the Colonels in a game this season, and the most they had scored in a conference game all year.

Junior Ryan Bathie missed his first three-point shot of the game early on, but was instrumental in the comeback in the first half as he scored 20 first half points, which was one shy of his career best in a half. Bathie finished the game with 25 points and eight rebounds while shooting 9-of-19 from the floor and 7-of-14 from behind the arc.

Nicholls' scoring onslaught didn't stop in the first half as they rung up 36 second stanza points to Northwestern State's measly 27 to get the victory. It was the first time since the 2000-01 season that the Colonels had defeated the Demons in Stopher Gym as they won 84-74 on January 25, 2001. The losing streak covered a span of six total games.

Joining Bathie in double-figures were four other Colonels with senior Adonis Gray being the next closest to the 20-point mark with 18 points. Gray entered the game needing just 17 to surpass Clyde Richards on the all-time scorers list for the 15th spot, and now needs 78-points to surpass Stanley Beaubouef for 14th all-time.

Following Gray was true freshman Anatoly Bose with his first double-double of his career with 16 and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes of work. Rounding out the Colonels 10-plus point scorers were junior Gil Verner and freshman Dominic Friend with 11-points each.

As a team, Nicholls shot 44.1 percent (30-of-68) from field goal range while shooting 51.6 percent (16-of-31) from downtown. Nicholls has shot 50 percent or better from behind the three-point line in two games prior to tonights performance: against McNesse State and then No.1 North Carolina. The Colonels also dominated in the paint as they out scored the Demons 24-to-16 while also winning the points off turnovers category, 34-to-15.

The Colonels will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to take on Central Arkansas. The Bears won the first match between the two teams, but had to do it in double overtime, 98-96. Tip-off in Conway, Ark. is set for 6 p.m.

####