ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team had no answers for the University of Michigan's hot shooting and found itself trailing big for a fourth straight game, en route to a 91-62 loss on Saturday at the Crisler Center.
 
The Colonels (0-4) face one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the country, and the No. 19 Wolverines (5-1) may have been the toughest competition to date.
 
Nicholls took a 4-0 lead to open the contest after two straight baskets by T.J. Carpenter, but Michigan responded in a major way, using a 13-0 run to blow past the Colonels for a 13-4 lead. The Wolverines put together three additional runs of 7-0, 12-0 and 12-0 to cruise to a 53-20, halftime lead. Michigan was spectacular offensively in the first half, shooting 64.3 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent from the free throw line. In comparison, Nicholls shot 31 percent from the field, 25 percent from three-point land and did not attempt a single free throw.
 
Facing the Wolverine reserves for the majority of the second period, the Colonels played significantly better, winning the half 42-38. Over the final 20 minutes, Nicholls shot 51.9 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from behind the arc, while Michigan shot 46.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point land. The Colonels were also a perfect 8-of-8 at the free throw line in the period, despite entering the game averaging an abysmal 51 percent at the charity strike.
 
For the game, Nicholls was outrebounded 36-24 and outscored 14-6 on fast break points, but kept many of the other metrics close. The Wolverines finished +2 in steals while the Colonels were +2 in blocks. Michigan forced one more turnover than Nicholls, while the Colonels took a 17-16 advantage on points off turnovers.
 
In the end it wasn't singular statistical category that doomed Nicholls, but an accumulation of smaller mistakes and miscues that put the game out of reach.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye led the Colonels with a 15 points and six rebounds, both team-highs, while Richie Lewis dished out three assists to pace the squad. Carpenter was second on the team in scoring with 12 points.
 
Caris LeVert spearheaded the Wolverine offensive attack with 24 points and six assists on the night. LeVert was 8-12 from the field, including 5-6 from behind the arc. Spike Albrecht had a team-leading seven assists and contributed 10 points in the victory. Kameron Chatman paced Michigan with eight rebounds and added 11 points.
 
Nicholls will fly to Thibodaux for its regular-season home opener against a capable Loyola squad on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. in Stopher Gym.
 
Saturday's contest will be broadcast live on KQKI 95.3 FM.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls men's basketball.