MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- Following a northern detour at Rhode Island earlier this week, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (2-3, 0-0 Southland) jetted south into the Caribbean for a three-day stint at the 2019 Jamaica Classic, initially battling North Carolina A&T (1-4, 0-0 MEAC) in Friday morning's tournament opener before wrapping up the competition on Sunday night against UMBC (4-1, 0-0 America East). Notably, the Red & Gray will take the court against North Carolina A&T for the first-time in program history, a situation this team has grown accustomed to with three of the first five contests this season -- at Illinois, at Pitt and at Rhode Island -- serving as series openers.

While the Colonels have seen impressive figures from transfers Dexter McClanahan (team-best 16.6 ppg), Andre Jones (12.4 ppg) and D'Angelo Hunter (11.0 ppg) thus far, the Red & Gray proved offensive production can come from nearly anywhere on the floor in Tuesday's clash at Rhode Island, consistently relying on the efforts of Warith Alatishe as the sophomore clinched his first career double-double (team-high 17 points / 10 rebounds) in the tight five-point loss. Meanwhile, the high-pressure defensive system utilized by Nicholls continues to output nationally-renowned results, as the team currently ranks 16th overall in steals per game (11.2) as well as 15th in turnovers forced per game (20.8).

WHAT: Nicholls vs. North Carolina A&T
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 22 | 10:30 a.m. CT
WHERE: Montego Bay Convention Centre | Montego Bay, Jamaica
MEDIA: Live Stats | CBSSN

WHAT: Nicholls vs. UMBC
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 24 | 8 p.m. CT
WHERE: Montego Bay Convention Centre | Montego Bay, Jamaica
MEDIA: Live Stats | CBSSN

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts (PDF)

• Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports a 16-20 (7-11) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts five seniors: G D'Angelo Hunter, G Tom Clement, G/F Brandon Moore Jr., G Dexter McClanahan & F Elvis Harvey Jr.
• This year's roster is highlighted by five newcomers, as redshirt senior G D'Angelo Hunter (West Virginia), redshirt junior G Andre Jones (Arkansas-Little Rock) & redshirt senior G Dexter McClanahan (Savannah State) all became eligible following transfers from fellow collegiate programs while sophomore G Lorenzo McGhee (Columbia State CC) climbed aboard via a JUCO program & freshman G Tyrease Terrell signed on directly from high school. On the bench, senior F Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington), redshirt sophomore F Najee Garvin (Charlotte), redshirt sophomore G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) & redshirt sophomore G Lafayette Dorsey (Pacific) will sit out due to NCAA Transfer Restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features four players from across the state of Louisiana, three from Georgia, a pair from Texas and one from each of the following: Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Minnesota & California.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 11th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters, including junior G Kevin Johnson & senior G/F Brandon Moore Jr.

UP NEXT
After leaving the sand, surf and warm temperatures of the Caribbean behind, the Colonels return to Louisiana for the first time in over a week, hosting the team's second home matchup of the season against Blue Mountain College on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. in Stopher Gym.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Men's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@geauxcolonels) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).