Jan. 14, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - The Colonels led with just over seven minutes to play, but couldn't hold on, dropping a 62-55 decision to UTSA Wednesday night in Southland Conference play.

Nicholls (8-7, 1-1 SLC) held the Roadrunners to 33.3% (19-of-57) shooting in the contest, and went 21-of-47 (44.7%) from the floor themselves, but UTSA took advantage of Colonel turnovers, picking up 27 points off of 20 turnovers.

"I'm proud of our effort and proud of how hard we competed," said Head Coach J.P. Piper. "I'm disappointed that we didn't find a way to win the game because I really wanted that for our guys. We will learn through the defeat and it will make us better."

Sophomore Anatoly Bose (Sydney, Australia/Waverley) paced the Colonels with 19 points, while senior Ryan Bathie (Melton, Australia/Mowbray) poured in 18 and grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds.

Bathie and senior Justin Payne (Opelousas, La./Opelousas) each dished out four assists to lead Nicholls, and sophomore Kellan Carter (Fresno, Calif./Edison) grabbed a team-best three steals.

The Colonels got on the board first to open the game, but did not lead again until the 17-minute mark of the second half. Nicholls controlled much of the second half, leading for nearly 12 minutes and by as many as eight points.

A pair of Bathie free throws cut the Roadrunner lead to one with just over three minutes to play, but missed layups and late fouls put the game out of reach for Nicholls.

"We've identified some of the areas where we need to improve and our team understands that," Piper added. "We'll come back stronger tomorrow and prepare for SFA."

UTSA (10-4, 2-0 SLC) had four players in double figures, led by Omar Johnson's 17-point performance. Josh Bonney posted a double-double for the Roadrunners, knocking down 15 points and grabbing a team-high 13 boards.

The Colonels will return to Southland Conference Play on Saturday, traveling to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin.

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