HAMMOND, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team held a 39-31 lead at intermission on Saturday afternoon, but Southeastern Louisiana outscored the Colonels 38-22 over the final 20 minutes, snapping Nicholls' two-game winning streak with a come-from-behind 69-61 victory at University Center.
 
The Colonels (7-19, 3-9 SLC) led for nearly 28 minutes, including a 14-point advantage late in the opening frame, but the Lions (6-18, 4-7 SLC) clawed their way back. With less than two minutes remaining in the first period, Quinton Thomas drilled a three-pointer to give Nicholls its largest advantage, but Southeastern La. scored the final six points of the half to steal the momentum.
 
The Colonels shot 55.6% from the floor in the opening period, but were held to just 31.6% in the second. Nicholls had an abysmal outing at the free throw line, shooting just 46.4%, while missing 15 attempts at the charity stripe. The Colonels were outrebounded 44-26, including a 17-7 deficit on offensive boards. Nicholls entered Saturday's matchup with 78 points in the paint over its last two ballgames, but finished with just 10 against the Lions.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye (12 points), T.J. Carpenter (seven rebounds) and Schane Rillieux (five assists) led Nicholls. Adam Ward finished with a career-high three blocks to go along with nine points, four boards and a steal. Johnathan Bell contributed nine points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist in the loss.
 
Zay Jackson led Southeastern La. with 19 points and four assists. Moses Greenwood had a team-high seven boards in the win.
 
Nicholls will then have a week to prepare for a battle against conference-leading Stephen F. Austin (17-5, 10-0 SLC) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.