LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team trailed by as many as 13 points before roaring back to force overtime, but the squad was unable to finish off McNeese State, falling 83-78, in Burton Coliseum.
 
The Colonels (7-18, 4-11 SLC) grabbed an early lead on Saturday afternoon but the Cowboys (12-15, 6-10 SLC) responded, taking a 39-29 advantage at halftime.
 
Keelan Garrett drilled a three-pointer just two minutes into the second period, putting McNeese State up 42-31, but Nicholls fought back with a 12-2 run to cut the Cowboys' lead to a point.
 
The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes before the Colonels put together a small run, capturing a 58-53 advantage at the 7:18 mark. McNeese State battled back and the two teams traded leads until Ja'Dante' Frye sank a layup with 28 second remaining in the game to put Nicholls up by two. After a pair of Jamaya Burr free throws the game was sent to overtime.
 
Neither team led by more than two points through the first four minutes of the extra period, but the Cowboys scored six straight in the closing minute to steal the victory from the Colonels.
 
Luka Kamber and Frye led Nicholls offensively with 16 points apiece. Liam Thomas earned a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Sam McBeath and Richie Lewis each tossed a team-leading five assists.
 
Lance Potier led McNeese state, finishing with 12 points and 11 boards on the afternoon. Desharick Guidry had 20 points and Burr dished out four assists, both team-highs.
 
The Colonels shot 41 percent from the floor while surrendering 45.5 percent. Nicholls was outrebounded 43-41 and the Cowboys earned 24 points off of 16 Colonel turnovers.
 
Nicholls will head to the Big Easy for a 7 p.m. showdown with New Orleans on Monday. The game will be broadcast live on KQKI 95.3 FM.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls men's basketball.