RUSTON, La. – After a hard-fought 81-75 victory over a gritty Arkansas-Monticello squad, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team has little time to enjoy the win before they are back in action against Louisiana Tech at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in Ruston.
 
The Colonels (2-5) trailed by as many as nine points against the Weevils on Tuesday night, but rallied in the second half to remain undefeated at home. The Bulldogs (7-3) have lost two consecutive games against Louisiana-Lafayette, 94-86, and Syracuse, 71-69, entering Thursday's matchup.
 
Nicholls is 2-15 all-time against La. Tech, and fell 77-45 in their most recent matchup on Nov. 22, 2009 in Albuquerque, N.M.
 
The Colonels enter Thursday's matchup averaging 64.9 points while surrendering 80.7. Nicholls is shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 29.3 percent from three-point range, while allowing 46.1 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent beyond the arc. The Colonels a -7.4 rebounding margin and a -2.0 turnover margin this season.
 
The Bulldogs have had their own struggles on the boards with a -6.9 rebounding margin, but have been more than competitive thanks to their hot shooting and ball hawking play. La. Tech is shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from three-point land, while earning a +3.2 advantage in turnovers.
 
Amin Torres leads Nicholls offensively, averaging 13.9 points per game off the bench in just 17.4 minutes per contest. Sam McBeath paces the Colonels with 6.4 rebounds per game, while Richie Lewis averages 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game, both team-highs.
 
Raheem Appleby and Alex Hamilton head up the offensive attack for the Bulldogs, averaging 15.9 and 15.8 points respectively. Michale Kyser averages a team-high seven boards per contest, while Kenneth Smith leads the team in assists with a 7.2 average.
 
The Colonels battle Louisiana Tech on Thursday, before hosting Troy at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Thursday'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.