MORGANTOWN, W.V. -- With league competition officially less than a week out, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (6-4, 0-0 Southland) aims to wrap up the team's non-conference schedule on a major high note, traveling back to the northeast Saturday afternoon for a bout against Big 12 power West Virginia (8-1, 0-0 Big 12) in the team's fifth first-time matchup of the season, tip set for 1 p.m. CT at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.V.

Over the course of the past four contests, the Red & Gray have experienced an offensive renaissance as preparation for conference play continues, overpowering UMBC in the Jamaica Classic finale before taking care of business at home against a trio of non-Division I opponents (Blue Mountain College, Campbellsville-Harrodsburg & Carver College). Across those matchups, though, the Colonels outpaced even their expectations, averaging 105.5 points per game while shooting a devastating 52.0 percent from the floor.

Notably, redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan has put together a particularly vicious stretch, posting 19.8 ppg along with a scorching 16-of-32 (50.0 percent) mark from beyond the arc; meanwhile, sophomore Warith Alatishe has nearly averaged a double-double (11.0 ppg / 9.8 rpg) and redshirt junior Andre Jones has come into his own, registering a 13/10/11 triple-double against CU-Harrodsburg and leading the Colonels twice on the scoreboard. 

WHAT: Nicholls at West Virginia
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14 | 1 p.m. CT
WHERE: WVU Coliseum | Morgantown, W.V.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch | Listen

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

• Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports an 20-21 (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
Following the conclusion of the non-conference schedule at West Virginia, the Colonels head back to the bayou for their Southland opener against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, tipoff with the Islanders scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Stopher Gym.

STAY SOCIAL
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