ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Nicholls State University basketball team will look to build off of a strong second-half performance against Hawaii, as the team returns to the lower 48 for a matchup with New Mexico at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
The Colonels (1-2) fell, 99-74, against the Rainbow Warriors on Sunday, but left the game with a number of positive takeaways. Ja'Dante' Frye and T.J. Carpenter combined to score 52 points and Nicholls won the second half. The Colonels shot 76.7% at the free throw line, over 40% from three-point range and committed just seven turnovers.
 
The Lobos (3-1) opened their season with three consecutive victories against Texas Southern, New Mexico State and Loyola-Chicago, but lost to USC, 90-82, in their most recent ballgame.
 
Wednesday's matchup will be the second time in program history that Nicholls and New Mexico meet. The Lobos won the first meeting back on Nov. 20, 2009, defeating the Colonels, 83-59.
 
This season Nicholls is averaging 72.0 points per game, while allowing 88.7. The Colonels have shot 39.9% from the floor and 31.5% from beyond the arc, while surrendering 60% and 39.7% respectively. Nicholls has a -13.3 rebounding margin, but boasts a +5.7 turnover margin.
 
Frye leads Nicholls in points (20.3 per game), rebounds (6.0 per game) and steals (2.0 per game). Kyle Caudill, Schane Rillieux and Carpenter each average a team-leading 2.0 assists per game.
 
New Mexico is averaging 81.5 points per game, while holding keeping opponents at 68.0. The Lobos are shooting a hot 49.4% from the field and 37.5% from three-point land, while holding opponents to 39.5% and 32.2%. New Mexico has a +8.8 rebounding margin, but has struggled with ball security, posting a -1.0 turnover margin.
 
Tim Williams spearheads the Lobos' attack with 18 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Cullen Neal dishes out a team-high 3.5 assists per contest, and both Williams and Obij Aget have earned a total of six blocks this year.

Wednesday's matchup will be broadcast by Root Sports and can be viewed on the following stations: Comcast: 261/814(HD) / DISH: 414 / DirecTV: 683
 
Following this week's action the Colonels will return to Thibodaux to host Louisiana College at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.