KATY, Texas -- Following a successful conclusion to the regular season just over a week ago, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (21-10, 15-5 SLC) aims to carry some positive momentum into the team's Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals matchup, squaring off against No. 6 Lamar (17-15, 10-10 SLC) on Thursday evening at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Earlier this season, the Red & Gray managed to orchestrate a clean sweep of the Cardinals across a pair of relatively close games, initially upending Lamar in an early-January defensive battle, 61-52, before downing the eventual six seed 69-65 back at Stopher Gym in mid-February. Individually, redshirt senior Dexter McClanahan shined for the Colonels in both contests, averaging 18.0 points per game off a 44.4 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc, not to mention 11 total rebounds and four steals.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. No. 6 Lamar
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 12 | 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Leonard E. Merrell Center | Katy, Texas
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch // ESPN+ | Listen // 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Game Notes

• Austin Claunch concludes his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports an 35-27 (22-16) 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) 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.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 11th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.

UP NEXT
With a victory over the Cardinals, the Red & Gray will advance to the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals against No. 2 Abilene Christian, tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 13 at the Merrell Center.

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).