HAMMOND, La. -- After battling back into the win column Wednesday evening at Lamar, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (11-6, 8-2 SLC) looks to gather more momentum heading into Southeastern Louisiana (6-12, 4-5 SLC) as the team sets their sights on a second consecutive season sweep of the rival Lions, closing out the three-game road stretch as the latter end of a doubleheader with women's basketball on Saturday, Feb. 13 at the University Center, tip slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

WHAT: Nicholls at Southeastern Louisiana | Game Notes
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: University Center | Hammond, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch -- ESPN+ | Listen -- 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans

As the 2020-21 campaign begins to wind down, the Colonels continue to find themselves in serious contention for the program's second regular season title in just four years, holding firm one game back of Southland leader Sam Houston (9-1) with just six games remaining.

With memories of the Red & Gray's dominant 87-67 victory over Southeastern Louisiana earlier this January still fresh, Nicholls takes aim at a repeat performance in Saturday's road rematch. In that win -- good for the Colonels' second largest margin of victory with DI competition this season -- four players separated themselves from the pack, as seniors Ty Gordon, Kevin Johnson and Andre Jones along with redshirt junior Najee Garvin all scored in double digits for a combined 59 points, while the former paced the squad behind five assists and the latter pounded the glass for a team-best eight boards.

UP NEXT
With the three-game road trek concluded, the Colonels shift focus to their final set of home contests, kicking off the stretch against Northwestern State on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Stopher Gym, tip set for 7 p.m.

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 46-33 (30-18 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts eight seniors: G Ty Gordon, 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.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Men's Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@nicholls_mbb) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).