Nicholls at Northwestern State  l  Jan. 12 @ 7 p.m.  l  Live Stats  l  Radio  l  Video ($)

Nicholls at Stephen F. Austin l  Jan. 14 @ 6 p.m.  l  Live Stats  l  Radio  l  Video (ESPN3)
 
THIBODAUX, La. – Head coach Richie Riley has accomplished several feats in his inaugural campaign with the Nicholls State University men's basketball team, but one thing missing is a road win in Southland Conference play. The Colonels will have two opportunities to this week to cross it off Riley's list as Nicholls makes the trip to face Northwestern State (Jan. 12) and Stephen F. Austin (Jan. 14).
 
Granted the Colonels (9-7, 2-1 SLC) have had only one road conference contest this season, a 74-61 setback in their last outing against preseason favorite Sam Houston State. But a win away from Stopher Gym this week could set up a potential run for the Colonels as they will be in Thibodaux for three of its next four games – where Nicholls has yet to lose a game this season.
 
While the Nicholls offense has relied on DeAndre Harris (18.7 ppg) and Ja'Dante' Frye (15.5) for most of the season, it was senior guard Johnathan Bell (11.9) who stepped up to lead the Colonels with 18 points in their outing against Sam Houston. Bell has quietly put together a strong senior campaign, reaching double figures in scoring in all but three games and has three double-doubles. Last season, Bell poured in a career-high 27 points against the Bearkats.
 
While the Colonels have had a fast start to the conference slate, Northwestern State (6-8, 0-3 SLC) heads into the matchup looking for its first SLC win of the year. The Demons have had to play the season without injured all-league guard Jalen West, and are now without the services of one of the Southland's most prolific scorers, Zeke Woodley.
 
Through 10 games, Woodley averaged 17.6 points and was on pace to surpass 2,000 career points to become NSU's all-time leading scorer. But a fall against Rice on Dec. 19 led to a broken wrist and resulted in Woodley watching from the sidelines for an extended period of time.
 
With the loss of their top two scorers, the Demons have been led in conference play by Josh Boyd (16.0 ppg) and Devonte Hall (14.0). Northwestern State is scoring 78 points per game, but is allowing 87.3. In the loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, NSU nearly surrendered 100 points in the 17-point loss.
 
Stephan F. Austin, aiming for its fifth consecutive league title, has posted a 6-9 overall record and a 1-2 mark in league play. The 'Jacks started off the conference slate with a win over HBU, but saw its 26-game Southland winning streak come to an end with a loss at McNeese. SFA then went on to drop back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2012 after falling at Abilene Christian.
 
SFA is averaging just 58 points in league play and no players are scoring in double figures. T.J. Holyfield is tops at 9.7 points and four other scorers are averaging eight or more points. On the season, Ivan Canete heads the team with 11.9 points.
 
The 'Jacks are 5-1 at home this season and will take on A&M-Corpus Christ Wednesday night before hosting the Colonels.
 
For the latest news on Nicholls men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.