LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Nicholls State University basketball team answered the bell on Tuesday afternoon, downing a gritty Hampton squad, 84-81, in a knock-down, drag-out battle at Orleans Arena.
 
The usual suspects, Ja'Dante' Frye and T.J. Carpenter, led the way for the Colonels (4-7), but it was an outstanding team effort, particularly off the bench, that lifted Nicholls past the Pirates (4-6).
 
The Colonels have struggled at the free throw line this year, but hit their last seven attempts on Tuesday. Carpenter and Bell combined to go 4-for-4 at the charity stripe over the final 24 seconds to seal the win for Nicholls.
 
The Colonels mixed things up right from the start, opting to bring Luka Kamber and Tre O'Neal off the bench, while starting Johnathan Bell and Schane Rillieux in their place. The move paid off, with Bell and Rillieux helping ignite Nicholls from the outset, and Kamber and O'Neal paying major dividends in reserve.
 
Hampton grabbed a small advantage early, but the Colonels quickly closed the gap. The game featured nine lead changes and eight ties, with both teams dealing punches and counter-punches throughout. Nicholls led the game for 18:23, while the Pirates led for 17:40. The contest was tied for 3:57. A testament to how even the matchup was, both teams finished 29-of-57 from the floor.
 
Coming into the season, the Colonels expected three-point shooting to be a bright spot for the team, but offensive woes from beyond the arc plagued Nicholls over its first 10 games. Tuesday was a much-needed coming-out party for the Colonels from three-point range, with the team draining 13-of-26 shots from down town. Kamber shot 3-of-5, Frye 3-of-6, Carpenter 4-of-8, Liam Thomas 2-of-4 and O'Neal drained his only attempt from three-point land. In contrast, Nicholls held Hampton to just 26% from deep.
 
The Colonels finished the game with fewer turnovers (14-17), and gained an edge in points off turnovers (24-18), assists (17-14) and blocks (4-2). Nicholls outscored Hampton, 32-17, on bench points.
 
Frye finished with 21 points and seven rebounds for the Colonels, while Carpenter added 19 points and eight boards. Rillieux, O'Neal and L. Thomas each tossed three assists to lead the team. Rillieux grabbed a team-high two steals, while L. Thomas finished with 11 points and a season-high four blocks. Kamber totaled nine points in the win, knocking down three daggers from long-range. Bell finished with six points, three rebounds and a steal, while Kyle Caudill registered six points, two boards and an assist.
 
Quinton Chievous led the Pirates with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Brian Darden added 21 points, and Akim Mitchell dished out four assists to pace Hampton.
 
The Colonels will play their second and final contest of the Las Vegas Classic on Wednesday, against the winner of today's matchup between ULM and Canisius.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.