THIBODAUX, La. – Graduate transfer
Jeremiah Jefferson poured in a game-high 28 points and senior
Daniel Regis scored all 10 of his points in the second half as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team defeated rival Southeastern Louisiana, 68-63, Saturday evening on Senior Day.
With the win, the Colonels finished Coach
Austin Claunch's first season with a 14-17 overall record and a 7-11 mark in conference. Nicholls needed Central Arkansas to lose in order to make the postseason for the second straight time, but UCA held on for the win against Northwestern State.
Nicholls trailed by as much as 10 in the first half against SLU (16-15, 12-6 SLC) despite getting 18 points from Jefferson, but a spirited defensive effort paired changed the outlook.
With the game tied at 47 with 13 minutes remaining, Regis and Jefferson teamed up for an 11-0 run, and the Colonel defense held SLU without a single point over a seven-minute stretch. The Lions made it a five-point margin in the final minutes before Nicholls closed it out by hitting 6 of 6 at the free throw line.
Jefferson played all 40 minutes, hitting 6 of 10 3-pointers. With 98 made 3-pointers on the season, Jefferson set a new program single-season record.
Lafayette Rutledge set the mark last year at 97.
Jeremiah Buford joined Regis and Jefferson in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
Kevin Johnson contributed with nine points and six assists.
Marlain Veal led SLU with 17 points, while Moses Greenwood added 16.
