CLICK HERE FOR TV LISTINGS
NATCHITOCHES, La. – After a tough loss to Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team faces another challenging matchup as the squad hits the road for a battle with Northwestern State at 8 p.m. on Monday.
Despite Saturday's loss, the Colonels (7-20, 3-10 SLC) are still firmly in the hunt for a Southland Conference Tournament spot, and a win over the Demons (7-17, 4-10 SLC) would be a major step in the right direction.
NSU has dropped three of its last four games, including a 102-99 loss at the hands of New Orleans on Saturday. The nation's No. 9 scorer, Zeek Woodley, put up 28 points in the loss to the Privateers, before a technical foul eliminated him from the game for the final nine minutes of action.
The Demons own a 64-40 advantage in the all-time series against Nicholls. Northwestern St. has won six consecutive matchups against the Colonels, including an 88-80 win on Jan. 25, earlier this season in Thibodaux.
Nicholls averages 66.6 points and surrenders 78.2. The Colonels shoot 40.7% from the floor and 29.8% from three-point range, while giving up 45.9% and 34.4% respectively. Nicholls has a -7.3 rebounding margin and a -1.7 turnover margin this season.
The Demons lead the league in scoring offense (80.0), but are last in the conference in scoring defense (86.3). NSU shoots 45.6% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc, while allowing 47.7% and 33.1% respectively. The Demons have a -6.7 rebounding margin and a -1.3 turnover margin on the year.
Ja'Dante' Frye (13.3 points),
T.J. Carpenter (5.3 boards),
Schane Rillieux (3.0 assists) and
Liam Thomas (2.1 blocks) lead the Colonels. In Southland action, Carpenter (12.8 points), Rillieux (3.5 assists) and L. Thomas (5.8 rebounds and 3.1 blocks) pace the squad.
After the loss of arguably the best all-around player in the league, Jalen West, Woodley has taken the reins for Northwestern St., averaging 22.8 points. Lane Ishmael pulls down a team-high 6.0 boards per game and Devonte Hall dishes out an average of 6.4 assists, to lead the Demons.
Following Monday's game, Nicholls will travel to Lake Charles for a date with McNeese State at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Colonels then return home for a matchup against New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.
