CONWAY, Ark. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team kept its postseason hopes alive with a win over New Orleans on Monday. The Colonels will look to take the next step towards a Southland Conference Tournament berth against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
 
After digging a deep hole in league play, Nicholls (8-22, 4-12 SLC) will need more than a little luck to punch a ticket to Katy. The Colonels must snap a 17-game road losing streak with a victory over the Bears (7-19, 6-10 SLC), and then defeat in-state rival Southeastern La. to stay in the postseason hunt. Even if Nicholls wins out, McNeese, New Orleans or Northwestern State will have to lose their remaining games for the Colonels to clinch an SLC Tournament berth.
 
Despite facing an uphill battle, Nicholls is riding high after a dominant defensive performance against the Privateers. The Colonels, led by Liam Thomas, set a program best with 11 blocks. Thomas posted a school record eight blocks in the game, while passing the mark for career blocks in the process.
 
Central Arkansas has dropped three of its last four contests, and is coming off of consecutive losses against Southeastern La. and Sam Houston. The Bears fell, 75-56, on the road against the Lions, before suffering an 83-73 loss at the hands of the Bearkats.
 
Nicholls and Central Arkansas are notched at eight victories apiece in the all-time series. The Bears earned a 94-83 win over the Colonels live on ESPN International, when the programs met earlier this season on Jan. 23 in Thibodaux.
 
Ja'Dante' Frye leads Nicholls with 13 points per game, while averaging 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. T.J. Carpenter paces the squad with 5.2 boards, and is second on the team in average points (12.2) and assists (2.7). Schane Rillieux tosses a team-high 2.8 assists, while Thomas leads the conference with a 2.4 blocks-per-game average.
 
Jordan Howard spearheads the Bears attack with 20 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. Derreck Brooks (12.5), Justin Foreman (11.0) and Mathieu Kamba (10.8) each average double-figures for Central Arkansas, while Jake Hullhof pulls down a team-leading 6.8 boards.
 
Following Thursday's ballgame, Nicholls returns to Thibodaux for a Senior Day matchup against Southeastern La. at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.