HOUSTON, Texas -- Propelled by an all-around balanced team performance, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (19-10, 13-5 SLC) concluded the team's regular season road schedule on a major high note at HBU (3-23, 3-14 SLC), upending the Huskies behind a 93-85 victory -- a new offensive season-high against a Division I opponent -- Wednesday evening at Sharp Gym.

Notably, the Red & Gray's eight-point win, combined with Stephen F. Austin's 31-point blowout over Northwestern State, clinches a top-four seed and first-round bye for the Colonels in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament, set for Wednesday, Mar. 11 through Saturday, Mar. 14 in Katy, Texas.

After a back-and-forth opening to the contest, Nicholls managed to maintain a comfortable point-gap for a majority of the second half, utilizing strong bench play and solid showings from all five starters to seal the eventual eight-point victory. Redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan paced the squad behind a team-high 20 points while the other four starters -- Andre Jones (17 points), Warith Alatishe (14), Kevin Johnson (12) and Elvis Harvey Jr. (11) -- each racked up double-digit performances as well.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 57.6 percent (38-of-66) from the field, 44.4 percent (8-of-18) at the three-point line and 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from the charity stripe.
-- With the victory, the Colonels complete their fourth season sweep of the season, downing the Huskies for the second time after picking up a similar 91-83 win over HBU in late January.
-- On the glass, Harvey Jr. impressed behind a team-best 11 boards, which, combined with his 11 points for the game, earned the senior his second double-double on the year.
-- Johnson also performed well outside the scoreboard, dishing out a squad-high six assists.
-- Following foul trouble with Alatishe, junior Ryghe Lyons earned some significant minutes off the bench, racking up eight points and six rebounds while swatting six total blocks as well, tying a career-best mark in the category from the 2017-18 campaign.
-- Redshirt senior D'Angelo Hunter saw his first action in seven games, notching three points and one assist across 10 minutes on the court.

UP NEXT
The Red & Gray return to Thibodaux for their final two contests of the regular season, hosting New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 29 and McNeese on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Stopher Gym.

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).