THIBODAUX, La. -- Despite enduring a lackluster start -- including just 10 total team field goals in the first half -- across the board, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (10-5, 7-1 SLC) showcased the team's trademark unflinching resolve down the stretch against in-state rival McNeese (7-9, 1-6 SLC), eventually topping the Cowboys by a decisive 76-69 margin Wednesday evening at Stopher Gym for the Colonels' seventh-consecutive Southland Conference victory.

While Cowboys never managed to reclaim one of their many leads following the 7:51 mark in the second half -- Ty Gordon three-pointer pushed Nicholls up two -- McNeese refused to go away for good, closing the gap to within one possession on four separate occasions across the final minutes. Fortunately, redshirt junior Najee Garvin opted to completely take over the Red & Gray offense during that same stretch, scoring 12 of his total 16 points -- including just his third triple of the season -- to seal the win.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- For the night, Nicholls finished shooting 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the field, 40.7 percent (11-of-27) at the three-point line and 55.0 percent (11-of-20) from the charity stripe.
-- Notably, third-year head coach Austin Claunch has now guided the Colonels to their best league start (7-1) since the 2017-18 regular season championship team, matching the best-ever run by his predecessor, Richie Riley. Of further note, however, Claunch & Co. have an opportunity to post the program's best conference opening since the 1997-98 team bolted out to a 14-0 record in conference play, eventually securing the SLC Tournament Title and the Red & Gray's most recent NCAA Tournament berth.
-- Individually, redshirt junior Ty Gordon was, once again, an unstoppable force once his ranged shots began to fall, posting a game-high 24 points behind a 5-of-12 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Mississippi native put his unselfish side on display as well, dishing out a team-best six assists and grabbing two steals.
-- Meanwhile, senior Kevin Johnson served up yet another solid outing in his 100th career start for the Colonels, dropping 15 points on a stellar 4-of-6 at the three-point line while also swiping a trio of steals.
-- Last, but certainly not least, senior Ryghe Lyons logged an impactful 33 minutes of action, keeping Cowboys star KeyShawn Feazell in check (15 points) while scoring eight points, grabbing a squad-high nine boards and picking up three rejections in his ninth multi-block game of the season

UP NEXT
With the first half of the SLC slate concluded, the Colonels receive a well-deserved 10 days of rest before hitting the road once again for conference leader Sam Houston, trekking west across state lines to battle the Bearkats on Saturday, Feb. 6, tipoff slated for 5 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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