THIBODAUX, La. – On Senior Day at Stopher Gym, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team defied all odds to win its third consecutive game on Saturday, picking up a dominant 64-45 victory over in-state rival Southeastern La., and clinching the No. 7 seed at the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
Less than two weeks ago the Colonels (10-22, 6-12 SLC) were all but out of the postseason picture, but while the rest of the league may have counted Nicholls out, the Colonels continued to put in work. Nicholls avenged a humiliating loss at New Orleans by downing the Privateers on Saturday at home. The Colonels then drove to Conway and defeated Central Arkansas, picking up their first road win in 362 days. Saturday's victory over the Lions (11-20, 9-9 SLC) marks the first three-game winning streak for the Colonels since last season.
 
Adam Ward shot a perfect 8-for-8 against Southeastern La., earning a career-high 17 points, and Nicholls held the Lions to their lowest scoring output since the 2012-13 season.
 
The first half on Saturday was a sloppy affair, with each team committing 10 turnovers and shooting in the mid-30s. The Colonels rose above the mess as the clear aggressor, winning the battle of the boards, 20-13, while blocking three shots and grabbing four steals.
 
Nicholls took a 28-22 advantage into halftime.
 
The Colonels exploded out of the break, outscoring Southeastern La., 14-3, over the first seven minutes of the second period. After a Dimi Cook three-pointer, but Nicholls ran off a 12-4 run to take their largest lead of the game, 56-32, at the 4:41 mark. With the Lions having already wrapped up the No. 5 seed at the tournament, both coaches emptied their benches, and the Colonels cruised to victory.
 
Nicholls shot 39.3% from the floor, while holding Southeastern La. to just 32.7%. The Colonels outrebounded the Lions, 44-35, while scoring 30 points in the paint. Nicholls grabbed 10 steals and forced 20 giveaways, converting them into 26 points.
 
Ward finished with four rebounds and a steal to go along with his career high in points. Playing in front of his parents in his final game at Stopher Gym, graduate student Kyle Caudill had an outstanding performance with 10 points, five boards, two assists and a block. With his mother in attendance, senior T.J. Carpenter grabbed 10 boards and scored five points, while dishing out two assists and picking up a steal. Senior Schane Rillieux had an excellent all-around game in front of his parents, earning a team-high four steals, while tossing four assists, scoring six points and grabbing two rebounds. Liam Thomas had another well-rounded outing, contributing a team-high five assists, to go along with six boards, four points and three blocks. Johnathan Bell and Quinton Thomas registered eight and seven points respectively, while Ja'Dante' Frye totaled five points and five rebounds in the win.
 
Jordan Capps led Southeastern La. with 11 points and eight boards. Zay Jackson had a team-high three assists. 
 
The Colonels will face No. 6 seed McNeese State at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Merrill Center in Katy, Texas.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.