THIBODAUX  – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team scorched the nets with 14 3-pointers, led by six from Lafayette Rutledge, as the Colonels won their home opener against Mississippi College, 86-55, Thursday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
Rutledge was one of three Colonels to finish in double figures, connecting on 6-of-12 from behind the arc for a team-high 18 points. The junior guard had five from long range in the opening half as Nicholls led 40-23, and the team added nine more after the break.
 
DeAndre Harris scored 17 points off the bench on 7-of-11 from the field. As a team, the Colonels (2-1) shot 49 percent in the win, while holding Mississippi College to 40 percent. Johnathan Bell reached double figures for the second straight game, tallying 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Mississippi College, coming off a double overtime loss to Southern Miss, led 6-2 in the opening minutes before Nicholls took control of the contest. A 9-0 run by the Colonels was capped on a dunk by Ja'Dante' Frye and Nicholls then took its first double-digit lead with eight minutes to go when a Liam Thomas putback made the score 24-13.
 
Rutledge hit his fourth and fifth 3-pointer of the opening half to help lift Nicholls to a commanding 17-point lead at the break. The second half was much of the same as the Colonels led by as much as 43.
 
Head coach Richie Riley's up-tempo pace caused problems for the Choctaws all game as Nicholls caused 17 turnovers which led to 27 points. The Colonels also had a huge advantage in fast break points, outscoring MC, 21-6.
 
Liam Thomas (eight points) had a team-high 11 rebounds, with 10 coming in the first half. Frye and Stevie Repichowski each chipped in with nine points and Bell led the defense with three steals.
 
Nicholls will hit the road for its next six games, starting Sunday at San Diego. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
For all the latest news on Nicholls men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.