LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Despite Andre Jones tying a career-high behind a 25-point performance, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (14-8, 8-3 Southland) faltered late in a back-and-forth melee against in-state rival McNeese (12-9, 7-3 Southland), dropping an 80-74 overtime loss to the Cowboys at a raucous H&HP Complex in Lake Charles, La.

Outside of the final score (six point McNeese victory), the contest proved a true clash between near-equals, as the Red & Gray only managed to push their largest lead of the night out to just four points while the Cowboys similarly struggled, jumping up by as much as five late in the second half. Throughout the game, both squads refused to let the other pull away, matching nearly every basket to finish the evening with 23 overall lead changes and 10 total ties.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 37.7 percent (29-of-77) overall, 31.3 percent (10-of-32) from beyond the arc and 75.0 percent (6-of-8) at the free throw line.
-- Beyond Jones, the Colonels featured two other double-figure scorers, including redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan (14 points, all in the second half) and sophomore Warith Alatishe (13 points).
-- Speaking of Jones, the Arkansas native set a new season-high with his game-best 25 points, finishing 11-of-22 (50.0 percent) from the field along with 3-of-6 from long range. The redshirt junior also committed just one turnover while grabbing five boards and picking up one steal.
-- Senior Elvis Harvey Jr. concluded the night with nine points of his own along a team-high four steals, good for a career-best.
-- Meanwhile, junior Kevin Johnson made himself similarly indispensable behind another solid night as the Red & Gray's go-to game manager, dishing out six assists, grabbing six boards and swiping a pair of steals to go along with his six points.
-- On the glass, Alatishe continued his dominance down low for the Colonels, pulling down nine boards on the night as he, once again, nearly earned a double-double.

UP NEXT
With the opening pair of a three-game roadtrip in the books, the Red & Gray take a well-deserved weekend off before crossing into the Lonestar State on Wednesday, Feb. 5, squaring off against current league leader Stephen F. Austin in a major Southland matchup, tip scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Nacogdoches, Texas.

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).