THIBODAUX, La. – After traveling more than 10,000 miles to face Hawaii and New Mexico, the Nicholls State University basketball team returns to the Pelican State for a battle with Louisiana College at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Stopher Gym.
 
While a home game against a Division III opponent may look like a much-needed respite after facing some of the top teams in the country on the road, Tuesday's contest will be anything but a sure win.
 
In their most recent action, the Colonels (1-3) fed off the energy of one of the loudest and most energetic NCAA Basketball arenas in the country. Nicholls led the Lobos at "The Pit" for the majority of the first half and a portion of the second, but New Mexico ultimately edged the Colonels, 75-63, over the final minutes.
 
A nightmare matchup, the Division III Wildcats (1-2) boast an impressive resume against Southland Conference opponents this season. Louisiana College downed McNeese State, 73-70, on Nov. 17, and dropped a heartbreaker to Northwestern State, 86-80, on Nov. 25. The Wildcats will challenge LSU-Alexandria on Monday, before traveling to Thibodaux.
 
Nicholls holds an 18-13 advantage in the all-time series against Louisiana College. The Colonels claimed victory in the last four games against the Wildcats, including a 77-46 win in the most recent meeting between programs on Jan. 23, 1984, in Alexandria.
 
Nicholls is averaging 69.8 points per game, while surrendering 85.3. The Colonels shoot 38% from the floor and 30.5% from three-point range, while holding opponents to 54.9% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Nicholls has struggled on the boards, with a -11.5 rebounding margin, but the Colonels have taken care of the ball, maintaining a +4.0 turnover margin this year.
 
Louisiana College averages 69.7 points per game, while giving up 75.3. The Wildcats shoot 34.6% from the floor and 41.8% from three-point land, while allowing 46.4% from the field and 31.7% from behind the line. Louisiana College has a -5.3 rebounding margin and a +3.3 turnover margin on the season.
 
Following Tuesday's ballgame, Nicholls will host Loyola at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.