ABILENE, Texas – After surrendering a ten-point lead in a 75-62 loss Lamar University in the conference-opener, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team will hit the road and look to rebound against Abilene Christian University at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Texas.
The Colonels (3-8, 0-1 SLC) enter Saturday's contest seeking their first conference victory and first road victory of the year. The Wildcats (7-7) have had an up-and-down preseason, losing by as many as 44 points (against Boise State) and winning by as much as 40 (against Hillsdale Baptist), but are coming off of an 87-70 victory over Central Arkansas in their conference opener on Sunday.
Nicholls took a 79-60 victory over ACU on Feb. 27 last year in the first meeting between the two programs.
Through 11 games this season, the Colonels are averaging 64.1 points per game while giving up 77.1 to their opponents. Nicholls is shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 27.1 percent from three-point range while allowing 44.9 percent and 38.5 percent respectively. The Colonels have a -3.0 rebounding margin and a -2.7 turnover margin this year.
Abilene Christian enters Saturday's matchup with a -6.7 rebounding margin and a +4.7 turnover margin. Nicholls will need to win the battle of the boards and limit turnovers in order to come home with a win against the Wildcats.
Amin Torres leads the offensive attack for the Colonels, averaging 13.6 points per game despite having come off the bench in all but two matchups this season.
Sam McBeath paces the squad with 6.5 rebounds per contest, while
Liam Thomas averages a team-high 2.1 blocks per game.
Richie Lewis leads the team in both assists (2.7 per game) and steals (2.2 per game).
Parker Wentz spearheads the Abilene Christian offense with a 13.2 points-per-game average. Austin Cooke leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per contest and Jalen Little averages 3.5 assists per game.
Nicholls will battle the Wildcats on Saturday before hosting Houston Baptist at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both games 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.
