Final Stats HAMMOND, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team was handed its fourth consecutive loss after a late comeback came up short against Southeastern Louisiana in a 71-66 defeat on Saturday evening at the University Center.

Trailing by nine points with three minutes remaining, Nicholls (10-12, 7-6) fought back to make it a one-possession game at 68-66 when Sam McBeath made a 3-pointer with 8.9 seconds remaining. The Colonels were forced to foul, and Southeastern Louisiana (11-13, 6-7) went on to make three free throws to put the game away.

Jeremy Smith and Dantrell Thomas were the only Colonels to reach double figures in scoring as the duo combined for 31 points. Smith scored a team-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and Thomas was 5-of-8 from the floor and added six rebounds.

Thomas led Nicholls with 10 points in the first half, but the Colonels shot just 36 percent as they headed into the locker room down 35-27. Both teams had only nine field goals in the first 20 minutes, but the Lions converted on 13-of-17 at the free throw line. Free throws were a major factor in the outcome, with SLU making 33-of-43 for the game, versus 9-of-16 for the Colonels.

In the second half, it didn't take long for the Red and Gray to mount a comeback, tying the game at 39 five minutes in after Amin Torres knocked down the Colonels' sixth 3-pointer of the game. Nicholls made nine from behind the arc on the day, its most in Southland play, but attempted a season-high 28.

One minute later, Thomas picked up a steal and found Torres for a layin, giving Nicholls a 43-41 lead. The Colonels led twice more over the next few minutes before a JaMichael Hawkins jumper gave SLU a 48-47 edge with 10:25 remaining.

Hawkins' bucket started a decisive 12-2 run, as Nicholls scored only one field goal over the next five minutes. However, Thomas sank a 3-pointer at the 4-minute mark, cutting the deficit to 60-55.

After SLU scored the next four points, Smith sparked the Colonels' late rally with a huge basket-and-one with 1:51 on the clock. The teams traded free throws, and the Lions added one more at the line to extend their lead to 67-60 with 40 seconds left.

McBeath, who had eight points, made a 3-pointer nine seconds later to bring Nicholls within four. Following another free throw by SLU, McBeath came through again from behind the arc, making the score 68-66.

But Dre Evans, who was one of two Lions to score 13 points, converted both of his free throws before McBeath misfired on a 3-pointer in a last-ditch effort. Evans' eighth free throw of game made the final 71-66.

The Colonels were efficient in running their offense, dishing out 15 assists to just six turnovers. Shane Rillieaux and TJ Carpenter had three assists each, and Carpenter chipped in with eight points. For the game, Nicholls shot 43 percent from the field while SLU finished at 52 percent, and the Lions outrebounded the Colonels 35-26.

Nicholls will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 22, with a home contest against McNeese State. The Colonels defeated McNeese earlier this season in overtime, 87-79. Game time at Stopher Gym is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.