Feb. 13, 2010

Final Stats

HAMMOND, La. - Once again, a big second half run proved to be the Colonels' undoing as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team (7-17, 3-8 Southland Conference) fell to the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions (14-9, 6-4 Southland) by a final of 76-63 at the University Center on Saturday.

The Colonels were neck-and-neck with Southeastern through the first half. In the opening period, Nicholls shot 43.5 percent (10-for-23) from the field and 80 percent (8-for-10) from the free throw line while sinking four of eight threes. Junior guard/forward Anatoly Bose scored 12 of his 21 points in the opening frame, and sophomore guard/forward Fred Hunter scored ten of his team-high 21 in the first.

Unfortunately, for Nicholls, Southeastern shot 56.5 percent (13-for-23) as a team in the first and the Lions saw ten point first half performances from both Patrick Sullivan and Trent Hutchin.

The Colonels battled the Lions through five tie scores and four lead changes, but Southeastern headed into halftime with a 34-32 halftime lead.

However, one game after a 29-6 run by Sam Houston State gave the Bearkats an insurmountable lead despite a furious second half Colonel rally, a big run by the opposition doomed Nicholls once again.

Southeastern came out hot in the second half as the Lions put together a 15-1 run over the first 4:03 of the second. When Rodney Jones hit a free throw for Southeastern, the Colonels found themselves down 50-33 with 15:57 remaining.

Nicholls refused to go away however, as the Colonels cut into Southeastern's 17-point lead with a 9-4 run to pull to within 12. A pull-up jumper by sophomore guard Chris Iles made it 55-42 with 11:57 remaining.

However, the Lions kept up the pressure and matched Nicholls shot-for-shot the rest of the way en route to the 64-50 final.

The Colonels will have the week off before returning to action by opening a two-game homestand on Saturday, Feb. 20 against Texas State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux.