THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University men's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit in the second half and led by one with five minutes remaining in the game, but New Orleans responded with the next 10 points and the Colonels fell in back-to-back home games for the first time this season in an 80-70 loss Saturday on Broussard Court at Stopher Gymnasium.

The setback hampers the Colonels' chances of reaching the Southland Conference Tournament for the second straight season. Nicholls heads into the final week with a 12-17 overall record and a 5-11 mark in the SLC.

The Colonels had a strong offensive showing by guards Jeremiah Jefferson (26 points) and Kevin Johnson (19). The duo nearly played the entire game, sitting just three minutes, and both shot 50 percent from the field.

Nicholls trailed by seven at the break and made its comeback inside of eight minutes left in the contest. With the score 64-59, Danny Garrick hit a 3-pointer for the Colonels before Johnson found Jefferson for a layup to tie the game.

A Jefferson free throw put Nicholls head at 66-65, but UNO quickly answered with a 10-0 run. Three of the field goals came inside where the Privateers ended the night with a 36-24 advantage in points in the paint. UNO also dominated the offensive glass with a plus-13 margin, leading to 15 second-chance points to just four from Nicholls.

Scott Plaisance led four UNO players in double figures with 19 points. Troy Green flirted with a triple-double for the visitors with 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

UP NEXT
Nicholls continues its homestand Wednesday, March 6 against Northwestern State. Tipoff in Stopher Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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