THIBODAUX, La.  – After falling by 28 in the first matchup with Southeastern Louisiana, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team got a much needed win over the Lions with a 77-71 victory over the Lions Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.

With the win, Nicholls (14-15, 7-9 SLC) moved into the eighth and final spot in the Southland Conference Tournament with two games remaining. The Colonels hold a 0.5 game lead over Central Arkansas, which Nicholls split the season series with after home wins by both teams.

Senior Ja'Dante' Frye led Nicholls with 21 points off the bench and missed just one shot in the game. Frye was a 6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from 3-point range and made all six free throw attempts. Lafayette Rutledge and Jahvaughn Powell each hit four 3-pointers and finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively, with Powell adding nine assists.

Johnathan Bell also scored in double figures with 11 points and Liam Thomas added eight points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

Nicholls shot 52 percent from the field and led for 38 of the 40 minutes. The Colonels led by 10 at one point before Southeastern (15-15, 8-9 SLC) trimmed the deficit to three with five minutes to go. But the Colonels received 3-balls from Frye and Rutledge on back-to-back possessions and SLU never came closer than six points, which was the final after a late 3 by Marlain Veal, who had seven triples and a game-high 29 points.

UP NEXT
The Colonels hit the road one last time with a matchup against Lamar Thursday, March 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.