MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team started hot and led, 14-7, at the 14:43 mark of the first period, but Memphis punched back with a resounding 43-4 run, and cruised to an 82-46 victory in FedExForum.
 
The Colonels (4-11) hit seven of their first 10 shots, but made only 12 of the next 43, and the Tigers (10-4) quickly pulled away.
 
Nicholls shot 35.8% from the floor and 22.7% from three-point range in the game, while Memphis hit 44.3% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. The Colonels made just 37.5% of their free throw attempts, while the Tigers shot 68.4%.
 
Nicholls was able to keep the battle of the boards close against one of the top rebounding teams in the country, grabbing 38 boards, compared to 39 for Memphis.
 
The Tigers secured a 46-22 edge on points in the paint, a 27-7 advantage on points off turnovers, a 34-5 edge on fast-break points, a 13-2 advantage on second-chance points, a 35-18 edge on bench points, a 17-6 advantage on steals and a 19-11 edge on assists. Memphis also gained a 17-6 advantage on steals, as the Colonels committed a season-high 27 turnovers in the ballgame, with all 12 players turning the ball over at least once.
 
Johnathan Bell led Nicholls with nine points, while adding three rebounds, a steal and an assist. Liam Thomas paced the squad with eight rebounds, while contributing six points, three blocks and an assist. Ja'Dante' Frye tossed a team-high three assists, while scoring seven points and pulling down six rebounds, with a steal. Marquis Nelson scored a season-high seven points on the night.
 
Five Tiger's scored in double-figures, led by Avery Woodson's 15. Woodson also finished with a team-high four steals. Dedric Lawson grabbed eight boards and added 12 points, while Trahson Burrell dished out six assists to lead Memphis.
 
The Colonels return to conference action with a home game against Abilene Christian at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, before traveling to Texas for a matchup with Houston Baptist.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.