THIBODAUX, La. - Caleb Huffman scored 29 points to lead a trio of Colonels in double figures as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team picked up a series split against rival Northwestern State with a 77-63 victory Saturday afternoon on Broussard Court at Stopher Gymnasium.
After falling to the Demons by 20 points last Saturday, Nicholls (8-9, 3-2 SLC) led by double figures for most of the day thanks to a hot start that resulted in a 19-7 advantage. But Northwestern State (10-8, 2-3 SLC) clawed back in the second half to make it a one possession game at 49-47 after a Ja'Monte Black 3-pointer.
However, Huffman made a pair of explosive plays that ultimately brought NSU's momentum to a screeching halt. Following a
Mekhi Collins block that prevented a possible tie, Huffman soured through the lane to put back a miss for a four-point lead. After the Demons tacked on a free throw, Huffman had a steal and drained a 3-pointer that made it 54-48 with just under 12 minutes remaining. The two buckets started a decisive 17-3 spurt which led to the Colonels improving to a perfect 6-0 at home.
Nicholls shot 47 percent for the game with Huffman knocking down 12 of 17 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Pierce Spencer had some big buckets in the first half and totaled a season-high 14 points helped by three 3-pointers.
Lance-Amir Paul also had his best performance as a Colonel, scoring 13 points to go along with six assists and six steals. Paul logged a season-high 32 minutes and was instrumental in finding seams in the Demon defense that stifled the Colonels a week ago.
The hot start was aided by three 3-pointers, including two by Spencer.
Ryan Maxwell also made his third career 3-ball during the run and Spencer's second triple put the lead at 19-7.
Huffman and Black traded 3-pointers in the final seconds of the half, putting the score at 39-31 Colonels.
Early in the second half, the Demons used their same recipe as in the win last Saturday by hammering the ball inside. Four consecutive baskets in the paint brought the deficit down to 43-39 before Paul stopped the 8-0 run with a layup.
The lead was finally threatened at 49-47 when Black drained a 3-pointer with 14 minutes to go. But the Colonels answered quickly with the game-sealing run to climb back over .500 in conference.
Black scored 18 points for the Demons and sank four from 3-point range. Dayne Prim and Isaac Haney each scored 11 points Jalen Hampton finished with 10. Hampton missed just one of his six shots after going 8-for-8 in the win in Natchitoches.
The victory was the 50th Southland win for head coach
Austin Claunch in his fifth season. The Colonels improved to 50-23 under Coach Claunch in conference.
STUFF STOPHER
Thursday's contest against McNeese (Jan. 19) will serve as the program's annual "Stuff Stopher" game. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling the Nicholls Athletics Ticket Office at 985-448-4790 or visiting
NichollsTickets.com.
FOLLOW THE COLONELS
Follow Nicholls Men's Basketball on social media on Twitter (
@Nicholls_MBB) and
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