NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Despite trailing by as many as 16 points midway through the second half, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (18-9, 12-4 SLC) showcased both a high-durability as well as a supreme mental toughness in a successful comeback effort against Northwestern State (12-13, 9-7 SLC), downing a pesky Demons squad Wednesday evening by a final 73-69 mark en route to securing just the second confirmed spot in the Southland Conference Tournament later this March.

The Colonels evaporated the 16-point Northwestern State advantage over the course of just under six minutes of game time, recapturing a lead they would not surrender with 1:51 remaining behind a Warith Alatishe jumper. Individually, Alatishe nearly managed to match his career-best 18-point performance from earlier this season versus the Demons, locking down his ninth double-double of the year behind a team-high 16 points and 10 boards, not to mention a disruptive three blocks.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 40.0 percent (26-of-65) from the field, 42.9 percent (9-of-21) at the three-point line and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) at the charity stripe.
-- With the win, the Colonels ensure an even split with NSU this season after falling to the Demons on a buzzer beater in mid-January.
-- The Red & Gray peaked at exactly the right moment in the second half, finishing the contest on a 24-4 run to outpace NSU down the final stretch.
-- In addition to Alatishe, both senior Elvis Harvey Jr. and redshirt junior Andre Jones broke the double-digit plateau on the evening, scoring 13 points apiece while combining for seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.

UP NEXT
The Red & Gray remain on the road for the next two contests, traveling to the league's northernmost member, Central Arkansas, for a weekend doubleheader with the women's squad on Saturday, Feb. 22 before heading back south to battle HBU in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

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).