THIBODAUX, La. -- Following a tight three-point loss in the league opener against Sam Houston State, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (2-5, 0-1 Southland) looks to bounce back quickly as the team hosts Lamar (2-8, 0-1 Southland) in a midweek clash, squaring off with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Stopher Gym, tip slated for 7 p.m.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Lamar | Game Notes
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 6 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch | Listen -- 1600 AM KLEB

As a unit, the Colonels have managed to put together a lethal combination of steals through defensive pressure combined with ball control on the offensive end, ranking fifth conference-wide in the former (8.4 steals per game, ranked 49th nationally) while surrendering just a league-second best 14.0 turnovers per game. Notably, senior guard Kevin Johnson even ranks first in the Southland (12th nationally) in individual steals per game, swiping 20 already on the year for a 2.86 average.

On the offensive end, redshirt junior Ty Gordon has proven electric throughout the opening seven contests of the season, scoring in double digits on six occasions while leading the team behind a 13.9 ppg average. Meanwhile, fellow transfer Najee Garvin has bolstered his scoring average into the double digit realm as well, boasting 10.7 ppg while pacing the Red & Gray on the glass with 7.1 rebounds per game.

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts | Record Book

• Austin Claunch remains in his third season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 37-32 (22-17 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts seven seniors: G Kevin Johnson, C Ryghe Lyons, G Jeremiah Buford, G Andre Jones, G Jaylen Fornes, F Damien Sears and G Shawn Williams.
• This year's roster is highlighted by 11 newcomers, including: six transfers from fellow Division I collegiate programs, two who joined the ranks via JUCO programs and another trio who signed on directly from high school. Of the six DI transfers, three -- redshirt senior G Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington) along with redshirt juniors G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) and F Najee Garvin (Charlotte) -- are of specific note, as each enter the season with one full year with the program after sitting out 2019-20 due to NCAA transfer restrictions.
• This season's depth chart features seven players from across the state of Louisiana, a pair from Little Rock, Ark., and one from each of the following: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota and Texas.
• The Colonels were projected to finish fourth in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll. Notably, Nicholls had yet to notch a single-digit ranking since the 2014-15 poll, in which the Red & Gray pulled off an eighth-place finish.
• Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters: senior G Kevin Johnson and redshirt senior G Andre Jones.

Following Wednesday night's action against Lamar, the Red & Gray wrap up their three-game home stretch with rival Southeastern Louisiana, hosting the Lions in a doubleheader with women's basketball on Saturday, Jan. 9.

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