HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- After taking care of business in the team's 2020 opener on Thursday evening, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (8-6, 2-1 Southland) looks to quickly refocus before making a quick turnaround on the road against 2018-19 regular season league champion Sam Houston State (10-4, 3-0 Southland), tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4 at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.

Just three games into conference play, the Colonels have proven to be a lethal second-half squad, shooting nearly five percentage points better from the floor (.357 in first halves versus .413 in second halves) and outscoring opposing teams by a +12.4 margin. Notably, seniors Dexter McClanahan and Elvis Harvey Jr. have been lights out across the final 20 minutes of action, combining for an average 18.7 points along with 6.3 rebounds.

WHAT: Nicholls at Sam Houston State
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 4 | 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Johnson Coliseum | Huntsville, Texas
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 22-23 (9-12) 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
Following Saturday's contest at Sam Houston State, the Red & Gray will turn their attention to the second matchup of the three-game roadtrip, heading west to Beaumont, Texas to battle Lamar on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

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).