THIBODAUX, La. – Stout defense kept the Nicholls State University men's basketball team in the game early on Saturday, but cold shooting doomed the Colonels as Lamar came away with a 79-67 victory in the Southland Conference opener at Stopher Gym.
Nicholls (4-10) led by two points at the 6:07 mark of the first half, but the Cardinals (9-4) closed out the period on a 14-6 run to take a 30-24 lead into the break.
The Colonels shot just 23.8% from the floor and 22.2% from three-point range in the opening frame. The rebound battle mirrored the halftime score, with Lamar claiming a 30-24 advantage over Nicholls on the boards. The Colonels entered the game averaging 13.8 turnovers, and committed 11 over the first 20 minutes on Saturday.
Both teams showed improvement offensively in the second half, but Nicholls could never climb its way back, and the Cardinals gradually pulled away.
The Colonels shot 38.5% from the field, 44.4% from beyond the arc and committed only three turnovers in period two. Poor free throw shooting by Nicholls, paired with hot shooting by Lamar from the floor, allowed the Cardinal lead to steadily climb. Lamar shot 50% from the floor and 44.4% from three-point land, while the Colonels missed 10 free throws in the second half. Nicholls was forced into intentionally fouling late to try to prolong the game, but Cardinals went 11-of-13 at the free throw line in the second period to close out the contest.
Ja'Dante' Frye led the Colonels with 17 points, while adding five boards, two assists and two steals.
Johnathan Bell grabbed a team-high six rebounds, and
T.J. Carpenter tossed three assists to pace the squad.
Liam Thomas tied a season-high with four blocked shots and
Schane Rillieux contributed a season-high 12 points.
Quinton Thomas, who led Nicholls in scoring against Houston, was limited to just five minutes while dealing with a stomach bug.
Nick Garth (17 points), Dorian Chatman (nine rebounds) and Kevin Booze (six assists) led Lamar in the win.
The Colonels play their final non-conference game on the road against Memphis at 7 p.m. on Jan. 5. Nicholls returns home to face Abilene Christian at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.
