ORLANDO, Fla.  – With 15 minutes remaining in the game, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team was tied with UCF, but the Knights used an 8-0 run to spark a dominant second half as the Colonels were defeated, 80-56, Monday night at the CFE Center.
 
Three Colonels scored in double figures, led by Johnathan Bell's double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Ja'Dante' Frye finished with 12 points and Tre O'Neal scored 11, but the offense struggled on the night by shooting 28.4 percent from the field.
 
Nicholls (1-1) shot under 30 percent in the first half; however, five 3-pointers kept them within striking distance as they trailed 33-30 at the break. A 3-ball by Javaughn Powell, who had three from long range, tied the game right after the half and the Colonels evened it once more at 43-all before UCF (1-0) went on to claim head coach Johnny Dawkins' first win with the program.
 
The Colonels connected on just 7-of-31 from downtown and 2-of-16 following the intermission. A large part of the shooting struggles could be attributed to UCF 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall, who had 16 points, 16 rebounds and blocked four shots.
 
Including Fall, all five UCF starters reached double figures in scoring. Matt Williams hit six triples for a game-high 20 points as the Knights outscored Nicholls in the second half, 47-26.
 
The Colonels will make their home debut on Thursday, Nov. 17 at noon against Mississippi College. The Nicholls Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be accepting a $5 donation, canned goods or a toy as entry for the game. The donations will be distributed to local organizations to help families in need.