THIBODAUX, La.  –   After the Nicholls State University men's basketball team saw an 18-point second-half lead evaporate against McNeese, junior Jahvaughn Powell stepped up to score seven points in the final 80 seconds as the Colonels defeated the Cowboys, 78-74, Saturday night at Stopher Gym.
 
In full control after 24 minutes of play, Nicholls (11-11, 4-5 SLC) saw its lead slowly wither away as McNeese (6-14, 3-6 SLC) tied the game at 69 with 1:30 to go. Powell, who finished with 16 points and three steals, answered with a layup and following a Liam Thomas block, came up with a huge 3-pointer with 33 seconds to go for a 74-69 lead.
 
The teams traded free throws before Lance Potier hit a 3-ball for McNeese with 1 second left on the clock to cut it to two. Powell was fouled on the inbounds and calmly sank two free throws to put the game away.
 
The Colonels had a solid day at the free-throw line, making 19 of 24. Powell was a perfect 6 of 6 and senior Johnathan Bell, who had a team-high 19 points, made 7 of 8.
 
Lafayette Rutledge also scored in double figures in only his second home game, finishing with 13 points and three 3-pointers. Rutledge returned in the Colonels' last game at HBU after missing nearly two months with a foot injury. Ja'Dante' Frye and Liam Thomas also chipped in with nine points.
 
McNeese was led on offense by Jamaya Burr with a game-high 24 points and Stephen Ogochukwu added 16. The Cowboys shot 51 percent from the field, but had 16 turnovers.
 
Nicholls shot 42 percent in the win and 38 percent from behind the arc on nine made 3-pointers. Six of the treys came in the first half as Nicholls led 42-31 at the break. The Colonels had a 29-27 advantage before the intermission when Tre O'Neal and Rutledge sparked a 13-4 run to close out the first half. O'Neal hit a jumper and a 3-pointer while Rutledge drilled two from behind the arc.
 
The run continued into the second half as Frye's 3-pointer with 16:23 on the clock gave Nicholls its largest lead, 51-33. But McNeese chipped away at the lead the rest of the way before Powell lifted the Colonels to another win at home where they improved to 8-1 on the season.
 
The Colonels will play their next three games on the road, starting Wednesday (Feb. 1) at Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff at University Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.