THIBODAUX, La. – Coming off of a convincing win against Louisiana College, the Nicholls State University basketball team will host Loyola New Orleans at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Colonels (2-3) haven't lost to the Wolf Pack (4-3) since 1970, and hold a 14-2 advantage in the all-time series. Last season Nicholls took an 89-60 victory over Loyola on Dec. 6, 2014 in Thibodaux.
The Red and Gray are coming off of an impressive 80-62 win against the Wildcats on Tuesday night. A formidable opponent, Division III Louisiana College downed McNeese State, 73-30, on Nov. 17 and lost close battle with Northwestern State, 86-80, on Nov. 25.
The Wolf Pack has lost three consecutive ballgames and surrendered a combined 207 points over its last two contests alone. Loyola was downed, 106-62, by Louisiana-Lafayette, and dropped a 101-65 decision to Southeastern La. on Tuesday.
The Colonels average 71.8 points per game and surrender 80.6. Nicholls shoots 39.7% from the floor and 30% from beyond the arc, while allowing 51.7% and 29.4% respectively. The Colonels have a -8.2 rebounding margin, but take care of the ball, boasting a +4.4 turnover margin. A disciplined squad, Nicholls ranks first in the Southland Conference in fewest fouls and fewest turnovers, despite having faced tough programs including Florida State, Hawaii and New Mexico.
The Wolf Pack averages 83.9 points per game and gives up 81.1. Loyola shoots 44% from the field and 31.5% from the three-point line, but struggles with ball control, averaging nearly 20 turnovers a game.
Ja'Dante' Frye spearheads the Colonels' attack, averaging 21.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Tre O'Neal leads Nicholls with a 2.4 assists per game, while
T.J. Carpenter is second on the team in both points (11.4) and boards (4.4).
Luka Kamber and
Johnathan Bell average 9.2 and 8.2 points per game respectively.
Jalen Gray (17.7 points and 4.9 assists per game) and Johnny Griffin Jr. (8.9 rebounds per game) lead the Wolf Pack.
The Colonel women's basketball team will face Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. Nicholls SAAC is partnering with Rouses Markets for our Christmas Toy Drive. Any fan that brings a toy to donate will be able to purchase a ticket for the double-header for only $5.
Following Saturday's ballgame, the men's team will fly to California for a date with San Diego St. at 9 p.m. central time on Thursday, Dec. 10. The Colonels will then head to North Texas for the first game of an 11-day road swing.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.
