NEW ORLEANS  – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team received a career-high 25 points from Jahvaughn Powell to go along with nine assists and fellow newcomer Lafayette Rutledge added 17 points, but an early run in the second half by New Orleans proved to be too much to overcome as the Colonels dropped a 78-69 decision Saturday night at Lakefront Arena.
 
Powell, in his first season after transferring from junior college, finished 9-of-14 from the field and made four 3-pointers for Nicholls, which fell to 11-13 on the season and 4-7 in Southland play. Rutledge, also a juco transfer, hit 5-of-8 from downtown. New Orleans (13-9, 8-3) was led by a game-high 26 points from Erik Thomas.
 
The game was tied at the break at 37-all before New Orleans put together an 8-0 spurt to grab a 47-39 lead at the 15:30 mark. After Nicholls trimmed the deficit to four points, UNO extended its advantage to 56-46 on a thunderous dunk by Travin Thibodeaux.
 
The Colonels fell behind by as much as 14 before a late surge made it a four-point game. Trailing 67-54 with less than five minutes to go, Powell and Rutledge each hit a 3-pointer to fuel a 9-0 run. Johnathan Bell (7 points) capped the run with a free throw at the 1:39 mark, but UNO quickly doubled the lead before going on to improve to 17-9 in the all-time series.
 
Both teams shot well for the game, but combined for 38 turnovers. The biggest difference in the contest came in points in the paint where UNO outscored Nicholls, 40-24. The size advantage for the Privateers also led to a plus-11 margin in rebounding.  
 
Defensively, Liam Thomas (7 points) added to his nation leading block total with four blocks, giving him 93 for the season.
 
The Colonels started out hot, getting 3-balls from Powell and Stevie Repichowski for an 8-2 lead. After UNO tied it up, the teams trade runs with the Colonels regaining the lead after a basket-and-one by Powell to make the score 30-29 with less than five minutes remaining.
 
UNO answered to take a five-point lead, but the duo of Rutledge and Powell each hit a bucket to close out the half, tying the score at 37.
 
But in the second half, Nicholls shot under 40 percent from the field as they fell to 0-6 on the road in conference play.
 
Nicholls will wrap up its three-game road swing with a trip to Central Arkansas next Saturday (Feb. 11). Tipoff against the Bears is scheduled for 4 p.m.