THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team made just enough plays down the stretch to hold off a determined Abilene Christian squad, 63-62, in Stopher Gym.
 
The win put a punctuation mark on Saturday's 40^th anniversary celebration of the 1975-76 Gulf Coach Conference championship team, which was honored at halftime of the contest.
 
The Colonels (5-11) and Wildcats (6-9) traded baskets early in the game, resulting in a 13-13 tie at the 10:02 mark, but Nicholls used an 8-0 run over the next four minutes to grab a 21-13 advantage. Abilene Christian chipped away at the lead, but Ja'Dante' Frye closed out the half with a three-pointer that put the Colonels up, 29-20, at the break.
 
Nicholls shot 47.4% from the floor, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 100% (8-for-8) at the free throw line in the opening frame. The Colonels held the Wildcats to just 27.6% from the field and 0% (0-for-8) from three-point range.
 
Nicholls came out hot in the second period, and after a Marquis Nelson corner three, the Colonels took their largest lead, at 50-33. Abilene Christian stole the momentum with a 10-0 run, and continued to slowly chip away. With just over two minutes remaining, a Jaren Lewis layup put the Wildcats up by a point. Thirty seconds later, Johnathan Bell punched back with a running layup that proved to be the game winner.
 
Nicholls got a major lift from its bench, earning a 19-5 advantage on bench points. The Colonels also outgained Abilene Christian on blocks (8-1), assists (13-9), rebounds (32-30), fast break points (9-7) and points off turnovers (16-15).
 
T.J. Carpenter led Nicholls with 16 points, six boards, three steals and three assists. Liam Thomas contributed team-highs in boards (eight), blocks (four) and assists (four). Bell and Frye each finished with 11 points, while Kyle Caudill scored a career-high 10.
 
Parker Wentz (17 points), Duran Porter (10 rebounds) and Lewis (four assists) led the Wildcats.
 
The Colonels next face a three-game road swing in Texas, beginning with a battle against Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.