THIBODAUX, La. – Lamar shot 59 percent from the field and drained seven 3-pointers in the second half to overcome a six-point deficit at the break to hand Nicholls its first home loss of the season, 87-76, Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
Nicholls (10-10, 3-4 SLC) made seven 3-balls of its own in the first half to lead 40-34 at the intermission, but the teams flip flopped in the final 20 minutes. Lamar, which made just 1 of 10 before the half, connected of 7 of 12 from deep to close out the game while Nicholls shot 50 percent in the first but made only 2 of 12 in the second.
One of the Colonels' second-half 3-pointers came courtesy of
Johnathan Bell, who banked it as the shot clocked expired for a 60-59 lead with 9:31 to go. But Lamar (12-8, 4-3) regained the advantage on one of Nick Garth's five second-half triples and the Cardinals went on to extend the lead to 69-64 with 6:30 on the clock.
Nicholls looked to have grabbed some momentum on the next possession when Bell found
Adam Ward for a thunderous alley-oop, but two 3-pointers by Lamar, including one from Garth, fueled 10-1 run for a 79-67 advantage. The lead only shrunk to single digits once the rest of the as the Colonels suffered their first home loss.
Ja'Dante' Frye scored 16 points for Nicholls, which slipped to 7-1 at home. Bell added 15 points, as did
Stevie Repichowski who sank three 3-pointers.
Liam Thomas and
Jahvaughn Powell each scored nine points, and Powell chipped in with game-high six assists.
The Colonels shot 42 percent for the game, led by Frye's 5 of 10 day. Thomas, the nation's leader in blocked shots, added two more to move his season total to 82, putting his three shy of tying his own single-season program record.
Lamar shot 52 percent and had four players score in double figures, led by Garth's 18. Zjori Bosha and Dorian Chatman each scored 15 and Josh Nzeakor had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Nicholls will hit the road for its next contest, taking on HBU on Thursday, Jan. 26. Tipoff at Sharp Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m.
