BEAUMONT, Texas -- Following a tough loss to Southland leader Sam Houston this past Saturday, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (10-6, 7-2 SLC) aims for a quick reboot as the team's three-game roadtrip hits the midway point at Lamar (4-13, 2-6 SLC), facing off against the Cardinals with a potential series sweep up for grabs on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Montagne Center, tip slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

WHAT: Nicholls at Lamar | Game Notes
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 10 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Montagne Center | Beaumont, Texas
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch -- ESPN+ | Listen -- 1600 AM KLEB

Even with the recent setback to the Bearkats, the Colonels maintain their position as contenders for the league's regular season title, sitting just one game back of leading Sam Houston (8-1) with still seven contests left on the slate. Further, each of the Red & Gray's remaining opponents have already suffered a loss to Nicholls sometime this past January, faltering by an average 11.3 points with margins ranging from two (at Central Arkansas) to 24 (vs. New Orleans).

Notably, the Colonels have Lamar to thank for opening the door to their seven-game SLC win streak, as Nicholls ousted the Cardinals by a 76-69 margin on Jan. 6 before plowing through the squad's next six league matchups, including two 20-plus point victories over Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans. As for the rematch, the Red & Gray look to replicate their result from earlier this year, as redshirt junior Najee Garvin paced the team on the scoreboard behind a career-tying 19 points while freshman Pierce Spencer posted his breakout performance, pulling down a squad-best 10 boards to go along with nine points of his own.

UP NEXT
With the opening pair of contests of the three-game road trek out the way, the Colonels turn their attention to the away stretch finale at rival Southeastern Louisiana, squaring off with the Lions on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in Hammond, La.

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 45-33 (29-18 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).