THIBODAUX, La. – Fans of Nicholls State University men's basketball all around the world will be able to watch Saturday's 3 p.m. matchup with Central Arkansas. The contest, set to take place in Stopher Gym, will air live on ESPN3 in the United States, as well as on the primary ESPN channel in Australia and New Zealand, as part ESPN International.
 
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, wear red and get loud, to help display Colonel pride all around the globe!
 
The 2015-16 men's team features Liam Thomas and Sam McBeath of Australia, as well as Zach Young and Jackson Stent of New Zealand. Nicholls athletics has strong ties with Australia and New Zealand, and the program is proud to team up with the Southland Conference and ESPN to give families overseas an opportunity to watch their loved ones live on the big stage.
 
The Colonels (5-14, 1-4 SLC) are coming off of the toughest leg of their league schedule. Nicholls' last three opponents are currently a combined 16-1 in conference play, while the team's next two opponents are 1-10.
 
The Bears (2-13, 1-4 SLC) have faced a comparable Southland schedule, picking up a win against Lamar, while falling to four opponents with a combined 19-2 league record. Central Arkansas is coming off of a 72-61 loss at the hands of Houston Baptist on Tuesday in Conway.
 
The Colonels own an 8-7 edge in the all-time series against the Bears. Nicholls has won the last three meetings, including a 77-70 victory on March 5, last season in Thibodaux.
 
Against conference opponents, the Colonels average 69.2 points, while surrendering 76.4. Nicholls shoots 40.6% from the floor and 32.3% from three-point range, while allowing 43.4% and 31.8% respectively. The Colonels have a -7.0 rebounding margin and a -4.4 turnover margin.
 
In league play, UCA averages 72.2 points, while giving up 77.8. Central Arkansas shoots 42.8% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc, while surrendering 42.1% and 37.5% respectively. The Bears have a +4.0 rebounding margin and a -3.6 turnover margin.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye leads Nicholls in average points (16.0) and boards (5.5). T.J. Carpenter also averages 5.5 rebounds per game, and is second on the team in both scoring (12.4) and assists (2.6). Schane Rillieux paces the squad with 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game, both team-highs. Liam Thomas averages 1.7 blocks and is third on the team in both points (8.2) and boards (4.1). Johnathan Bell has been a key contributor all season long, and is coming off of a career-high 27-point performance against the Bearkats.
 
Jordan Howard leads Central Arkansas with 17.9 points per game and is second in averages assists (2.2). Jake Zuilhof grabs a team-leading 5.9 rebounds per game. Derreck Brooks averages team-highs in assists (2.6) and steals (1.3), and is second in average boards (5.8).
 
The Colonels next face Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. on Monday for the team's annual Stuff Stopher game.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.