SAN DIEGO – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team opened up its week-long road trip with a hard-fought 81-72 loss at San Diego on Sunday evening.
 
The Colonels (2-2) raced out to a 13-4 lead before San Diego (1-3) used a 16-2 run to take command in the first half. Nicholls eventually tied it at 51-all midway through the second period, but USD responded with two runs and the Colonels were never able to regain the lead.
 
Four players reached double figures for Nicholls, led by 17 points from Javaughn Powell. Powell knocked down five of the Colonels' 12 3-pointers, but the team connected on just 5-of-16 after the break to shoot 39 percent for the game (12-of-31). Johnathan Bell and DeAndre Harris each scored 16 points and Ja'Dante' Frye finished with 13.
 
The Colonels shot 37 percent from the field for the game, but were hot from long range in the first half as they drained 7-of-15 from downtown. Four of the 3s came in the first eight minutes as Nicholls led 16-7, but San Diego's run put them on top until Powell sank one from deep to tie it up a 34. San Diego headed into the locker room with a 36-35 lead.
 
The 3-ball continued to keep Nicholls in the game, however, as Bell, who had a double-double with game-high 10 rebounds, started the second half with one for a two-point lead. Harris' 3-pointer tied the game at 51 before San Diego reeled off seven straight points over the next 2:30. Powell and Lafayette Rutledge then made good from behind the arc to make it a one-possession game at 61-59 with six minutes to go. But the deficit would be as close the Colonels would come as USD scored the game's next nine points en route to its first win of the year.
 
For the Colonels, Liam Thomas had five blocks to go along with five points and two rebounds.
 
San Diego shot 46 percent from the field and had four players score in double figures. Olin Carter, III led USD off the bench with 21 points.
 
Nicholls will continue its road swing as they head to New Mexico State to take on the Aggies on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
 
For all the latest news on Nicholls men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.