KINGSTON, R.I. -- After opening the 2019-20 campaign with an upset of Pitt as well as near-surprises at both Illinois and No. 23 LSU, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (2-3, 0-0 Southland) managed to once again push another non-conference challenger -- this time Atlantic 10 heavyweight Rhode Island (3-1, 0-0 A-10) -- to the brink, falling by just a five-point margin, 70-65, as the Rams edged past the Red & Gray at the Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I.

For the game, the Colonels generated offensive production from two of their usual suspects -- redshirt junior Andre Jones (16 points) and redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan (15 points) -- as well as a newcomer to the double-digit scoring club: sophomore Warith Alatishe, who composed his first-ever career double-double behind a 17-point / 10-rebound performance. Further, the Houston native also paced the squad in steals as well, creating five extra possessions for the Red & Gray with no other Colonels logging more than one.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- In a vacillating contest featuring 15 ties and 10 separate lead changes, the Colonels proved, yet again, a difficult road opponent to put away late, capturing their largest advantage of the night -- seven points -- with just over eight-and-a-half minutes remaining. Fueled by an impressive 24-point showing from Fatts Russell, URI fought back to an even score (58-58 at 5:30) before securing the win behind a late push (10-5 run over final two minutes).
-- For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 41.8 percent (28-of-67) overall, 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from downtown and 71.4 percent (5-of-7) at the free throw line.
-- In addition to Jones' team second-best 16 points, the Arkansas native also dished out a squad-high four assists while pulling down three boards and posting one steal.
-- From an analytic perspective, the Red & Gray proved either equal or better than the Rams in nearly every major statistical category save one: free throws, trailing the host team by 14 total makes and 16 overall attempts.

UP NEXT
With the East Coast contest at Rhode Island wrapped up, the Colonels shed some layers as the team treks south into the Caribbean, battling a pair of tough non-conference opponents -- North Carolina A&T on Friday, Nov. 22 and UMBC on Sunday, Nov. 24 -- as part of the Jamaica Classic, a three-day tournament situated in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

STAY SOCIAL
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