THIBODAUX, La. – Seniors Johnathan Bell and Ja'Dante' Frye combined for 36 points and Liam Thomas tied his own record with nine blocks as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team used a raucous crowd on Stuff Stopher Night to defeat Abilene Christian, 62-59, Thursday at Stopher Gymnasium.
 
Bell, who finished with a team-high 20 points, knocked down a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to give Nicholls (10-9, 3-3 SLC) the three-point edge. Abilene Christian (8-10, 2-4 SLC) drew a quick foul, but Jaylen Franklin missed his third and fourth free throw of the final minute to keep the score at 62-59. Frye (16 points) misfired on two at the line and ACU's Jaren Lewis put up a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it was off the mark as the Colonels escaped with the win.
 
Bell had the game-winning bucket last season in the Colonels' one-point win over ACU, and the senior played a huge role in swinging the momentum in the second half after Nicholls trailed 32-28 at the break. The Colonels shot just 33 percent in the opening period, but the Los Angeles native had four field goals in the first seven minutes after the intermission to spark a 20-7 run which gave the Colonels a 48-39 lead.
 
Nicholls then went nine minutes without a field goal, getting only four free throws as ACU climbed back to within two. The closest margin came after Isaiah Tripp sank a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to make it 60-59, but the Colonels never relinquished the lead.
 
Thomas also had a big night as he tied his own program record with nine blocked shots. Thomas entered the 2016-17 campaign with arecord eight blocks against New Orleans last season, but surpassed the mark earlier this season with nine against Thomas University. Thomas matched the number after blocking six shots in the second half, and also added eight points and 13 rebounds.
 
Stevie Repichowski hit three of the of the Colonels' six 3-pointers in the win and finished with 12 points. Frye's 16 points came on 5 of 10 from the field.
 
The teams proved to be evenly matched in field goal percentage, rebounds and turnovers, but free throws shooting turned out to be the difference. Nicholls connected on 16 of 22 at the line, while ACU shot 5 of 12.
 
The Wildcats were led by Jalone Friday, who had a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jaren Lewis also had a double-double with 17 and 12.
 
Nicholls will look to improve to 8-0 at Stopher Gym this season as they host Lamar Saturday at 3 p.m. For the latest news on Nicholls men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.