Jan. 21, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Backed by tough defense and a 54.5% field-goal percentage for the game, the Colonel men's basketball team rolled to a 63-42 victory over Central Arkansas Wednesday night in Stopher Gym.

"I was really pleased with our effort on the defensive end," said Head Coach J.P. Piper. "To hold a Division I opponent, especially a conference opponent, to 13 points in a half is really good for us. Central Arkansas is a very good team, so be able to do what we did defensively really says we're coming of age as a defensive team. And if we can do that, we have a chance to be in games that we wouldn't normally be in."

Nicholls (9-8, 2-2 SLC) saw three players reach double figures, paced by sophomore Anatoly Bose (Sydney, Australia/Waverley), whose 7-for-9 shooting from the floor was good enough for a team-high 17 points.

The Colonels never trailed and held the Bears scoreless for nearly six minutes through the opening half, allowing UCA just 13 points through the first 26+ minutes of action and building a 44-13 lead through the opening minutes of the second half after a 30-13 halftime score.

"We asked our guys to come in here and play with attitude and a chip on their shoulder," Piper added, "and I thought they took that to heart and did that tonight. Things got a little sloppy down the stretch for us, but I don't think we were ever in any danger of falling behind."

Bose went 2-for-3 from long distance, as did senior Justin Payne (Opelousas, La./Opelousas), who poured in 13 on the night. Senior Ryan Bathie (Melton, Australia/Mowbray) also reached double digits with 11 points.

The Colonels were led on the glass by junior Mike Czepil (Hoppers Crossing, Australia/Thomas Carr) with four boards, including one on the offensive end. Czepil finished with eight points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, and was one of five players with at least one steal.

Sophomore Kellan Carter (Fresno, Calif./Edison) dished out a team-high four assists and was the leading stealer for Nicholls with three.

Nicholls led by as many as 32, picking up 34 points off of 23 turnovers by the Bears.

The Colonels will return to action Saturday, hosting Northwestern State in the second half of a home-and-home as part of a doubleheader in Stopher Gym. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m., or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game.

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