THIBODAUX, La. – It has been 344 days since the Nicholls State University men's basketball team earned back-to-back wins, but the squad hopes to bring that streak to an end on Saturday as they battle in-state rival McNeese State University at 3:30 p.m. in Stopher Gym.
 
The Colonels (6-13, 3-6 SLC) are coming off of one of their most complete performances of the year in a 67-55 victory over New Orleans on Monday. The Cowboys (9-11, 3-6 SLC) enter Saturday's matchup on a two-game win-streak after defeating New Orleans 68-61, and Southeastern La. 73-60.
 
McNeese owns the all-time series against Nicholls 49-34, but the Colonels swept both meetings between the programs last season. Nicholls earned an overtime victory 87-79, on Jan. 21 in Lake Charles, and won 68-59, on Feb. 22 in Thibodaux.
 
In Southland Conference play, the Colonels are averaging 58.8 points and shooting 42.6 percent from the floor. The team carries a -1.8 rebounding margin, a -1.6 turnover margin and has struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 58.9 percent.
 
Sam McBeath leads Nicholls on both ends, averaging 9.2 points and 5.8 boards in conference, both team-highs. T.J. Carpenter is dishing out 2.5 assists per contest and Amin Torres is grabbing 1.8 steals per game in Southland play. Liam Thomas averages a team-leading 1.7 blocks per contest in the 2014-15 season.
 
Guidry Desharick is the spearhead of the Cowboy's squad, averaging 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds in conference. Kevin Hardy tosses 4.6 assists per contest and leads the team in steals with a 1.9 steals-per-game average.
 
Nicholls will host McNeese on Saturday before traveling to San Antonio for a 7 p.m. matchup with Incarnate Word on Tuesday. Both games 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.