THIBODAUX, La. – As the final seconds ticked down on Saturday, an infectious smile swept across the face of every member of the Nicholls State University men's basketball team and the Colonel faithful in attendance. Nicholls earned a dominant 74-56 victory over in-state rival McNeese, snapping a seven-game losing streak and taking the first step towards a potential Southland Conference Tournament run.
 
The Colonels (6-18, 2-8 SLC) put forth a complete team effort, with six players registering eight or more points. Adam Ward led the way with career-highs in points (15) and rebounds (eight). The league leader in blocks, Liam Thomas, reaffirmed his defensive supremacy, swatting five shots and grabbing a career-high 12 boards in the win.
 
Nicholls completely owned the paint, earning a 46-14 edge on points in the paint and a 48-30 rebounding margin. The Colonels finished the contest with more assists (13-5), blocks (10-2), second chance points (15-11), fast break points (10-7) and bench points (19-17).
 
The Cowboys (5-15, 3-7 SLC) hung with Nicholls early, trailing 10-8 at the 13:50 mark, but the Colonels used an 11-0 run over the next two minutes to grab a 13-point advantage. McNeese marginally chipped away at the Nicholls lead, but the Colonels took a 39-32 advantage into the break.
 
Nicholls busted out of the locker room with a 14-4 run to open the second half, and after a pair of Johnathan Bell free throws, the Colonels led, 53-36. With 4:28 remaining in the game, Luka Kamber hit a jumper that gave Nicholls its largest advantage of the night, at 69-47. McNeese made a 9-2 push after the Colonels emptied their bench, but the contest was never in doubt, and Nicholls cruised to victory.
 
The Colonels shot 48.3% from the floor, while holding the Cowboys to just 31.7%. Nicholls took its defense to another level in the second period, holding McNeese to an abysmal 21.8% from the floor and 11.8% from beyond the arc.
 
Ward added a pair of blocks and a steal to his career-high point and rebounding totals. L. Thomas scored nine points and dished out four assists to fill his stat sheet. T.J. Carpenter put forth an all-around game with a team-high four assists, to go along with eight points, seven boards and a steal. Bell set the tone on Saturday with a three-pointer to open the game, and finished with 15 points, two blocks, a steal and a rebound. Ja'Dante' Frye scored nine points and pulled down five boards on the afternoon. Kyle Caudill finished with eight points, four rebounds and an assist. Schane Rillieux played stifling defense and earned five points, three boards, an assist and a steal.
 
James Harvey (15 points and two assists) and Craig McFerrin (six rebounds) led the Cowboys in the loss.
 
The Colonels host Incarnate Word at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, before making the short drive to Hammond for a matchup with Southeastern La. at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.