LAS VEGAS, Nev. – After a slow start, the Nicholls State University basketball team recovered to take a 41-39 lead at halftime of the Las Vegas Classic Upper Division Championship, but Canisius changed gears in the second period and pulled away late, to steal an 83-74 victory and claim the tournament trophy.
 
The Golden Griffins (6-6) earned a miraculous triple-overtime win against ULM on Tuesday, and came into Wednesday's championship game with a ton of energy. Just under four minutes into the contest, the Colonels (4-8) trailed 9-4, but Nicholls changed the momentum with a 10-2 run.
 
Canisius responded to take a 23-20 advantage, before a Quinton Thomas three-ball tied things up at the 7:26 mark. The Golden Griffins ran off seven straight points over the next three minutes, but Nicholls punched back, closing the half an 18-9 run to secure a halftime lead.
 
Just over two minutes into the second period, Ja'Dante' Frye converted on an and-one opportunity, giving the Colonels their largest advantage of the night, at six points. Canisius clawed its way back incrementally, and after a Phil Valenti three-pointer, the game was tied at 55 apiece, with less than 13 minutes left.
 
Nicholls continued to battle, but the Golden Griffins caught fire, draining even the most tightly contested jumpers, to pull away late.
 
It was a tale of two halves, as the Colonels shot 53.1% in the first half and 44.8% in the second. In contrast, Canisius shot 44.8% in the opening frame and 56.7% over the final 20 minutes.
 
Nicholls dominated points in the paint, earning a 44-32 edge. The Colonels registered a 14-7 advantage on second chance points and outrebounded the Golden Griffins, 34-29.
 
Nicholls lost the turnover battle for only the fourth time in 11 games, committing 12 turnovers, compared to only seven by Canisius. The Colonels stayed under their season average for turnovers, but were unable to force the Golden Griffins into mistakes on the offensive end.
 
Frye led Nicholls with 17 points, while adding three rebounds and two assists. Liam Thomas set a career-high with 16 points and tied a career-high with four assists. L. Thomas also grabbed a team-high seven boards. T.J. Carpenter dished out a career-high eight assists, while contributing 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Johnathan Bell turned in a 12-point, five-board night, with one assist. Kyle Caudill registered a career-high nine points on the afternoon.
 
Kassius Robertson led Canisius with 20 points and five rebounds, both team-highs. Malcolm McMillan tossed six assists to pace the squad.
 
Following the game, Frye was named to the Las Vegas Classic All-Tournament Team. He averaged 19 points, five boards and two assists for the Colonels, while shooting 51.9% from the field, 43% from beyond the arc and 83.3% at the free throw line.
 
The Colonels return home on Christmas Eve, before heading to Texas for a battle with Houston at 1 p.m. on Dec. 28. Nicholls will open Southland Conference play against Lamar on Jan. 2.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.