THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team opened league play with a dominating wire-to-wire 87-46 victory over Northwestern State Thursday at Stopher Gymnasium, marking the program's largest margin of victory in a Southland Conference contest.

The second-highest advantage during a conference game occurred on Feb. 20, 1999, a 91-55 (+36) win over Southeastern Louisiana.

"It's good to see our defensive energy and execution get better," Nicholls head coach Richie Riley said. "To be able to hold them to 46 points, 27 percent from the field and 27 percent from three is a really good accomplishment. The discipline of our team tonight was probably the best that it's been all year as far as staying focused and continuing our execution."

The Colonels (7-7, 1-0 SLC) also forced 26 turnovers, outscoring the Demons 42-6 in points off turnovers. Nicholls also held significant edges in paint points (42-20), bench points (34-16) and fast-break points (18-4).The unit shot 47 percent from the field (31-66), including 10-20 from 3-point range, and converted 15-19 free throws.

The Colonels spread out their scoring well, having seven student-athletes with at least eight points. Seniors Kimani Jackson and Tevon Saddler fronted the squad with 14 points apiece, followed closely by Jahvaughn Powell (13) and Roddy Peters (10). Peters also snatched nine boards, falling one short of a double-double.

Nicholls tallied 14 of the first 16 points, highlighted by two beautiful feeds from freshman Ryghe Lyons to Saddler and Powell. Twenty-two of the opening 26 points for the Colonels were in the paint as Jackson knocked down two free throws to increase Nicholls' advantage to 19 at 26-7.

Nicholls closed the final 6:55 of the opening period on a 22-7 run with the help of five assists by freshman Kevin Johnson, resulting in a resounding 48-18 halftime lead.

Johnson also closed the backend of a 10-point spurt in the second half with a jumper in the paint and two free throws to put the Colonels up by 36 with 3:25 to play, assuring Nicholls a conference home-opening win for the second straight season.
The Colonels hope to continue their hot start at home Saturday in a 6 p.m. SLC battle with Incarnate Word.

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.