THIBODAUX, La. –  The Nicholls State University men's basketball team led McNeese by as much as 13 late in the first half, but the Cowboy offense exploded for 58 points after the break as the Colonels fell, 84-75, Wednesday night on Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium.

The Cowboys (9-19, 5-10 SLC) shot a blistering 70 percent in the second half and went on a 14-0 run that put Nicholls (12-16, 5-10 SLC)  from being up five to trailing 65-56 in a matter of three minutes. Jeremiah Jefferson, who had a team-high 26 points for the Colonels, ended the drought with a 3-pointer, but six points would be as close as Nicholls would get the rest of the way.

Jefferson had an outstanding night shooting, making 10 of 16 from the field and 6 of 10 3-pointers. It was his second-straight 26-point game, which is his conference high. Gavin Peppers finished with 15 points and Kevin Johnson totaled 14 points and three assists.

Nicholls led 36-26 at the intermission, thanks to 15 points by Jefferson. But in the second half, McNeese nailed 10 of 16 3-pointers and the Colonels had no answer inside for the Cowboys' Shamarkus Kennedy, who was 7-for-7 from the field, made nine free throws and scored 23 of his game-high 27 points.

The loss put Nicholls at 7-3 at home for the 2018-19 campaign. The Colonels will close out the regular season at Stopher Gym with their final three games. Saturday's game against New Orleans is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., following the women's game.

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