THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team may face its toughest challenge of the season - trying to slow down a Stephen F. Austin squad that has won 21 consecutive Southland Conference matchups. The Colonels host the Lumberjacks at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and will look to hand SFA its first conference loss in over a year.
Nicholls (7-19, 3-9 SLC) appeared to have finally found a winning formula after consecutive wins over McNeese State and Incarnate Word, but the Colonels suffered a disappointing 69-61 loss at the hands of Southeastern La. on Saturday in Hammond.
Stephen F. Austin (19-5, 12-0 SLC) has won all 12 of its league games this season, and is coming off of an 84-46 dismantling of Incarnate Word on Monday.
The Lumberjacks currently lead the Southland in total assists, assists per game, assists-to-turnover ratio, fewest turnovers, turnovers forced, turnover margin, field goal percentage, scoring defense, scoring margin, three-point field goals per game, and win-loss percentage. Stephen F. Austin is first in the nation in turnover margin and turnovers forced. The Lumberjacks also rank third nationally in assists per game and 11
th in total assists.
SFA averages 78.5 points, while allowing just 64.6. Stephen F. Austin shoots 48.0% from the floor and 35.5% from three-point range, while holding opponents to 45.3% and 32.9%. The Lumberjacks have a +1.7 rebounding margin and a +6.1 turnover margin this year.
Thomas Walkup leads SFA in average points (17.5), boards (6.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.7) and field goal percentage (59.7%). Demetrious Floyd is second on the team in scoring, with 13.6 points per game. Clide Geffrard is second in rebounding average (6.0) and Trey Pinkney is second in average assists (3.4). T.J. Holyfield averages a team-high 1.4 blocks per contest.
Ja'Dante' Frye (13.8 points),
T.J. Carpenter (5.3 boards),
Schane Rillieux (3.0 assists) and
Liam Thomas (2.2 blocks) lead Nicholls. Thomas is average 3.3 blocks in Southland action, and needs just four more blocks to tie the Colonels' single-season record of 61, set by Ron Smith over the 1987-88 season. Thomas is also within reach of the career blocks record of 146, set by Cedric Robinson, who played for the Colonels from 1982 to 1986. Thomas needs just 11 more blocks to tie the career mark.
Following Saturday's contest, Nicholls will make the arduous drive to Natchitoches for a battle against a formidable Northwestern State squad at 8 p.m. on Monday.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.
