MADISON, Wisc. - For the second straight time against a Power 5 opponent, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team led by double figures in the second half but could not escape with a victory as the Colonels fell to Wisconsin, 71-68, Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.

Like in last month's setback at TCU, Nicholls (7-4) saw its double-digit lead evaporate due to a decisive run by the home team. But unlike against the Horned Frogs, the Colonels hung close with Wisconsin (9-2) down the stretch despite the 16-0 run that gave the Badgers the lead for good.

Ty Gordon, who had a game-high 26 points, hit a late 3-pointer for the Colonels to make it a 70-68 game with 9 seconds remaining. Wisconsin added a free throw and Gordon was able to fire off a good look from the corner to send it into overtime, but was off the mark. Manny Littles corralled his 15th rebound and was fouled with 1 second, but after missing the first, intentionally missed the second and time expired on the rebound attempt. 

Gordon notched his fourth consecutive 20-plus point game, hitting 4 of 11 from 3-point range. He was joined in double figures by Devante Carter with 15 points on 7 of 11 from the field. The duo caused fits for Wisconsin all night, driving for tough layups and pull-up jumpers.

Until the second-half run, the Badgers only led in the game at 1-0. Nicholls shot 57 percent in the first half while holding Wisconsin to 36 percent, resulting in a 37-28 advantage at the break for the Red and Gray. But the script was flipped after the intermission with the Badgers out-shooting Nicholls, 54 percent to 40.

Wisconsin scored the first field goal of the second half before Pierce Spencer hit a 3-pointer to put the Colonels up 10. Gordon then scored at the 18:40 mark for Nicholls' largest lead of the night at 12 points, 42-30. 

However, with Nicholls holding a 46-35 advantage just before the first media timeout, Wisconsin scored the next 16 points over the next six minutes of the game to go up 51-46. Brad Davison made two 3-pointers during the stretch and finished with a team-high 19 points.

For the rest of the way, the score stayed at a one- to two-possession game but Nicholls would never able to regain the lead. An Emmanuel Little block gave the Colonels a chance to tie or take the lead with five minutes to go, but Gordon misfired on a 3 and after an offensive rebound, Carter came up empty on a jumper to keep the score at 57-55. Wisconsin answered with a dunk plus the foul by Chris Vogt. The only other chance to tie came on Gordon's last 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Although Gordon connected on four, the Colonels hit just 5 of 19 from long range and struggled in their few attempts at the free throw line, making 3 of 8.

Wisconsin also had a tough go at the charity stripe, finishing 17 of 27. The Badgers played without their leading scorer, Johnny Davis, who was out due to illness.

Nicholls fell to 0-13 all-time against the Big 10 and 0-2 under head coach Austin Claunch. His other loss came in overtime at Illinois to open the 2018-19 season. 
 

Step back 👌 @JTG_03 #geauxcolonels pic.twitter.com/5IJqDZJlgX

— Nicholls MBB (@Nicholls_MBB) December 16, 2021

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The Colonels are back at home for the final time in 2021, hosting Mississippi Valley State for the second game of their home-and-home. Nicholls defeated MVSU earlier this month in Mississippi, 95-80. Tipoff on Saturday, Dec. 18 is scheduled for 3 p.m.