BALTIMORE – Senior guard Lafayette Rutledge tied a program record with 10 3-pointers as the Nicholls State University men's basketball squad dropped an 89-88 decision to UMBC Friday in the Battle 4 Atlantis Mainland championship game at RAC Arena.

Rutledge connected on 6-10 treys in the second half en route to a career-high 30 points. Nicholls (3-3) converted 15-34 3-point field goals. Senior Tevon Saddler converted his first double-double as a Colonel with 17 points and 12 rebounds.  

The Retrievers (3-3) finished with six double-figure scorers led by Jairus Lyles' 18.

Rutledge knocked down two early threes during a 14-0 run by Nicholls, giving the Colonels a 21-11 lead at the 11:51 mark in the first half.

Two quick fouls by senior guard and leading scorer Roddy Peters sent him to the bench with just four first-half minutes. UMBC's switch to a 2-3 zone defense also caused problems toward the end of the opening period as Nicholls missed seven of its final eight field goal attempts, allowing the Retrievers to take a 40-35 halftime margin.

Trailing 48-39 with 17:46 to play, the Colonels slowly chipped away at the deficit. Senior guard Stevie Repichowski tied the game at 62 with a long-range basket with 11:41 to go.

With Nicholls leading 84-83 late in the second half, freshman guard Kevin Johnson recorded a steal and a tip-in on the other end to put the Colonels ahead 86-83. The Retrievers quickly responded with a 3-pointer to tie the game.

After a coast-to-coast layup by Peters regained Nicholls' 88-86 advantage, UMBC closed the game with three free throws. Peters' long-range attempt went off the back of the rim as time expired.

The Colonels return to Stopher Gym for a four-game home stretch beginning Monday at 7 p.m. against Blue Mountain College.

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.