THIBODAUX -  The Nicholls State University men's basketball team (11-9, 5-4 Southland Conference) will look for their fifth win in their last seven games when the Colonels return to Stopher Gym to host preseason Southland Conference West Division favorite Stephen F. Austin (13-7, 4-4 Southland Conference) with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff against the Lumberjacks in Stopher Gym on Wednesday.

It will be a matchup of the two top defenses in the Southland Conference as the Lumberjacks enter the week with the top scoring defense in the nation.  Stephen F. Austin has allowed just 53.8 points/game in their first 20 contests, the best average in the country.  Meanwhile, Nicholls boasts the second best scoring average in the conference, a 61.0 point/game average that ranks 24th in the country.

The Lumberjacks have lost three of their last five games, but have some momentum on their sides after picking up a 65-50 win over McNeese State on Saturday.  Stephen F. Austin is led by the scoring combo of Jordan Glynn and Jereal Scott.  Scott enters the contest with a 12.2 point/game average with Glynn turning in 11.9 each night to give SFA a pair of double digit scorers.  As a team, the Jacks boast the best shooting average in the country, connecting on 46.2 percent of their shots.

However, the Colonels are no slouches on the offensive end either.  The Colonels boast the second best team shooting percentage in the conference, combining to shoot .452 from the floor.  Nicholls is led by senior forward Anatoly Bose, whose 21.5 point/game average ranked ninth in the country at the beginning of the week.

The Nicholls defense also matches up well against the Jacks, as the Colonels begin the week with the best turnover margin in the Southland Conference, a +5.4 average that ranks fifth in the country.  Nicholls also ranks in the top-40 in the nation in steals/game, averaging 8.3 per night, the 35th best mark in the country.  Senior guard Kellan Carter leads the Nicholls defensive efforts, racking up 1.7 steals/game, the fourth best mark in the Southland Conference.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in Stopher Gym in Thibodaux.  The game can be heard in the New Orleans-Houma-Thibodaux area on the Colonel Sports Radio Network, including KLRZ 100.3 FM and KLEB 1600 AM.  All fans entering the game will have the opportunity to pick up their free 2011 baseball and softball posters while supplies last and get autographs from the Nicholls baseball and softball teams.  Posters will be given on a first come, first serve basis, and supplies are limited.

Following the game, Nicholls will return to action on Saturday with a visit to Lamar, looking for a season sweep of the Cardinals.