BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball squad outscored Western Kentucky University 54-38 in the second half despite dropping a 100-86 decision Sunday evening at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Senior guard Roddy Peters recorded the Colonels' (2-2) first double-double of the season, totaling a game-high 34 points and 12 boards. The Washington D.C. native added a team-high six assists in his 34 minutes on the floor. This marked the seventh straight game that a Nicholls student-athlete scored at least 20 points. Seniors Tevon Saddler (19) and Jahvaughn Powell (12) also posted double figures.

The Hilltoppers were fronted by Taveion Hollingsworth's 24 points. Dwight Coleby (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Justin Johnson (14 points, 11 rebounds) chipped in double-doubles.

Eight early points by Peters helped the Colonels keep pace to a 13-point tie. After a tip-in by senior Kimani Jackson gave Nicholls a 15-14 edge, WKU countered with 23 straight points during the Colonels' 6-minute scoring drought.

Hollingsworth shot 8-for-8 during his 18-point first half as WKU scored more points in the paint (38) than Nicholls' total (32). The Colonels committed 15 first-half turnovers as the Hilltoppers built a 30-point lead at the break.

WKU was up 33 at the 17:26 mark when Nicholls tallied eight consecutive points capped by back-to-back threes from Powell and junior Zaquavian Smith. The Colonels seized momentum with seven- and eight-point runs to cut the deficit to as low as 10 multiple times but were not able to overcome the Hilltoppers' advantage.

The Colonels travel to Baltimore to face Presbyterian College Thursday in the Battle for Atlantis Mainland Tournament. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.  

Get your season or single game tickets now by calling 985-448-4790 or visiting nichollstickets.com. To stay up to date with Nicholls men's basketball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.