BEAUMONT, Texas –Senior guard Tevon Saddler recorded 22 points and a career-high 16 rebounds as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team bested Lamar University 79-74 Wednesday night at the Montagne Center.

The Colonels improve to 13-8 and 7-1 in the Southland Conference, taking sole possession of first place with Southeastern Louisiana's loss to Sam Houston State. This is Nicholls' first road victory over the Cardinals (12-9, 4-4 SLC) since 2014.

Fellow senior guard Roddy Peters added 28 points, matching Lamar's Colton Weisbrod, on 9-11 from the field and 10-12 free throws. The Colonels committed a season-high 27 turnovers but offset that with 60-percent shooting, the highest in a league game during Riley's tenure.

Nicholls took 14 less free throws in the opening half, but erased a 13-2 Cardinals run with the help of 17 first-half points from Saddler.

Following Peters' free throw to tie the game at 70 with 3:21 to play, senior Kimani Jackson turned a post move into a dunk and Saddler converted a layup to cap a seven-point run. A trey from Joey Frenchwood made it close at 76-74, but the Colonels knocked down their final three free throws and forced a miss to seal the win.

Nicholls returns to Stopher Gym Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN3 and a Broussard Court dedication honoring legendary coach Rickey Broussard will take place prior to the contest.

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.