NEW ORLEANS, La. – T.J. Carpenter scored a career-high 28 points in regulation and Ja'Dante Frye took control in overtime as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team earned an 89-79 victory over New Orleans on Monday night in The Big Easy.
 
The Colonels (8-18, 5-11 SLC) were the aggressor early, jumping out to a 7-0 advantage at the 16:55 mark. The two teams traded baskets before Nicholls used a 9-2 run to grab a 17-6 lead with 13:43 remaining in the half. At the 8:05 mark Carpenter drilled a three-pointer to put the Colonels up 22-10, and it looked as though Nicholls would run away with the game, but the Privateers (9-16, 5-11 SLC) roared back. New Orleans closed on a 16-6 run, punctuated by a Christavious Gill basket from beyond the arc as time expired, and the Colonels escaped with a 28-26 halftime advantage.
 
The Privateers opened the second period the same way they ended the first, with a Gill three-point basket, taking their first lead of the contest. A J. Frye jumper regained the advantage for Nicholls momentarily, but a pair of free throws from his cousin Nate Frye shifted the advantage back to New Orleans. The second frame was a physical and energetic affair, featuring 11 lead changes as both squads traded punches blow for blow. With 1:47 remaining in regulation J. Frye hit a jumper to give the Colonels a two-point advantage, but a Kevin Hill basket with 26 seconds left sent the game into overtime.
 
Sam McBeath, who was quiet for the majority of regulation, stepped up in the extra period, nailing two consecutive shots from three-point range to give Nicholls a 75-69 lead. The Colonels locked down on defense, shutting off any opportunities for the privateers, who were forced to intentionally foul. Nicholls cashed in enough opportunities at the charity stripe down the stretch to pull away and secure the win.
 
The Colonels shot and outstanding 49.1 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, while holding New Orleans to 26.7 percent and 20 percent respectively. Nicholls shot lights out in overtime, sinking 75 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from three-point land and going 12-of-15 at the free throw line in the most impressive offensive outpouring of the year.
 
Carpenter scored 18 of his career-high 28 points in the first half and added 10 in the second. J. Frye took over in the extra frame, scoring eight of his career-high 23 points in overtime. Liam Thomas had a major impact on both ends, scoring a career-high 15 points and adding 11 rebounds in the victory. Richie Lewis tied a career-high with six assists and added two steals to lead the team.
 
Gill led the Privateers offensively, scoring 10 of his 25 total points in the extra period. Terrance Syon had a monster night in the loss, grabbing 16 boards, with 15 points and two blocks. Four New Orleans players recorded an assist.
 
The Colonels will host Central Arkansas for Senior Day at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday before traveling to Hammond for their regular-season finale against Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. on Saturday. 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.