Final Stats SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team received a triple-double from senior center Liam Thomas with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks and a total of five players scored in double figures as the Colonels picked up their first road conference win in a 77-68 decision at UIW Thursday night.
 
The win keeps the Colonels in contention for a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament, improving their record to 13-15 overall and 6-9 in the SLC. The victory pulled Nicholls to within a half-game of Central Arkansas for the eighth and final spot for the tournament. UIW, which was swept by the Colonels this season, fell to 11-16 and 6-10.  
 
After coming up a rebound shy of a triple-double earlier this season, Thomas, the NCAA's leader in blocked shots, completed the feat while making 7-of-9 from the field. His 10 blocks were one shy of his own program single-game record. He was joined in double figures by Jahvaughn Powell with 18 points, Johnathan Bell scored 17 and Stevie Repichowski and Ja'Dante' Frye had 10 each. Bell tallied a double-double with 11 rebounds.
 
Nicholls trailed for most of the first half before grabbing a 33-28 lead after a pair of dunks by Thomas. The Colonels looked to be heading into the break on top until Shawn Johnson drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give UIW a 35-33 lead.
 
But in the second half, it was all Nicholls. Powell hit a 3 out of the gate which led to a 7-0 run, then Nicholls grabbed a 50-39 advantage when Bell found Powell for another 3-pointer. UIW, which fell behind by as much as 15 in the second half, was able to cut the deficit to seven before free throws by the Colonels ultimately put the game away.
 
Simi Socks paced UIW with a game-high 22 points.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels will play their second-to-last home game Saturday, Feb. 25 against rival Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.