THIBODAUX, La. -- Following an 11-day hiatus away from official competition, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (7-6, 1-1 Southland) returns to action on the hardwood for the first time in 2020, hosting Southland challenger UIW (3-9, 0-1 Southland) on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. in Stopher Gym.

Prior to the holiday break, the Red & Gray split a pair of conference matchups against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (W, 64-58) and defending tournament champion Abilene Christian (L, 61-79), ousting the Islanders behind a unprecedented 21-point home rally before falling to a hot-shooting Wildcat squad on the road.

Individually, redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan continues to set the offensive tone for the the Colonels, posting 17.0 ppg in victories this season along with nearly a 40 percent mark from beyond the arc (.396, 21-of-56). Meanwhile, sophomore Warith Alatishe has evolved into more than just a role player, averaging just short of a double-double behind a team-high 8.5 rpg and 9.3 ppg.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. UIW
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 2 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, La.
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 21-23 (8-12) 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 closing out the one-game home stand versus the Cardinals, the Red & Gray shift focus to their first major road trip of league play, initially trekking west to Huntsville, Texas for a matchup against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Jan. 4 before facing off with Lamar on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and rival Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Jan. 11.

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).