HIGHLIGHTS

THIBODAUX, La. – Graduate senior DeAndre Harris scored 22 of his career-high 35 points in the first half to lift the Nicholls State University men's basketball team to a decisive 88-64 victory over Spring Hill College Wednesday night at Stopher Gym.
 
The victory closed out the Colonels' nonconference record at 7-6 as they open Southland play on New Year's Eve against UIW. The seven wins are the most since the 2008-09 campaign, and it also gave Nicholls its first winning nonconference record since 2010-11.
 
Spring Hill (1-10) had no answer for Harris in the first half as the former North Texas guard nearly outscored the Badgers himself, 24-22. He was 8-of-13 from the field before the break, finishing 11-of-20, as Nicholls shot 53 percent and hit six 3-pointers to lead 49-24.
 
Nicholls led by as much as 38 in the second half before Spring Hill's late push made it a 24-point final.
 
For the game, Harris had three of the Colonels' eight 3-pointers, with Stevie Repichowski matching his mark for all nine of his points. Guard Johnathan Bell continued his strong rebounding effort with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Ja'Dante Frye scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
 
The Colonels' large lead in the opening period was helped by its defense, which forced 13 turnovers and limited Spring Hill to 18 shots. The score was 14-12 after seven minutes of play before Nicholls used a massive 20-2 run to gain control.
 
Nicholls recorded 14 steals off of 21 turnovers, led by Harris with four. Liam Thomas (6 points) and Jahvaughn Powell had three each, and Powell also had a team-high five assists.
 
Spring Hill, which competes at the NCAA Division II level, was led by Walter Massey with 12 points.
 
The Colonels and UIW will square off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, following the women's 1 p.m. game against the Cardinals. For tickets, call visit geauxcolonels.com.
 
For all the latest news on Colonel men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.