THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University men's basketball team will make the trip to Mobile, Alabama for three games in the Jaguar Classic, hosted by the University of South Alabama. 

The Colonels (1-1) get started Wednesday night at 6 p.m. against Denver. Following a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday versus host South Alabama, Nicholls wraps up the event with a 6 p.m. Friday night game against SIUE.

Nicholls is coming off a thrilling 68-66 win at LSU last Friday -- the first win for head coach Tevon Saddler. The Colonels led by as much as 24 in the first half, 19 at the intermission, and had to fight back after surrendering the lead to win on a last-second three-pointer by Jalen White. It was just the second victory for the Colonels in 21 matchups with LSU.

While White was the hero with five three-pointers and a career-high 17 points, it was newcomer Jamal West Jr. that led the team in scoring through the first two games. West averaged 19 points, helped by a 24-point outing against Tulane, and went on to earn Southland Player of the Week. The Baltimore native did a little of everything as he averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. 

Diante Smith also averaged double figures after the opening week (14.5 ppg) to go along with 6.5 boards. Smith was also key down the stretch in the win at LSU, making two buckets after the Tigers gained the lead. He scored a game-high 18 points while adding four assists and three steals. 

Despite picking up a split, the team will look to improve in taking care of the basketball. Nicholls averaged 19 turnovers in the two games and had a minus 24 margin in points off turnovers.

Defensively, the Colonels held the Green Wave and Tigers to a combined 22.4 percent from three-point range. Nicholls also had a plus 10 advantage in rebounding. 

Denver brings a 1-1 mark to Mobile as well. The Pioneers lost on the road at San Diego in their opener before returning home to knock off Cal Poly. Denver poured in 97 points in the victory for their third highest output ever against a D1 opponent. 

South Alabama fell to 1-2 on the season after Tuesday's loss at Alabama. The Jaguars have a familiar face on the sideline as former Colonel head coach Richie Riley is at the helm at USA. Riley coached two seasons from 2016-18 and led the program to a regular season title in the 2017-18 campaign. Coach Saddler was a member of the squad and was named All-Southland Second Team that season. 

SIUE is also 1-2 on the year. The Cougars opened up the season with a loss at Dayton before defeating DIII North Park at home. SIUE then made the trip to Missouri and fell 67-50 to the Tigers. 

UP NEXT
Following the three games in the Jaguar Classic, Nicholls will play its home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 21 against Blue Mountain Christian. Tipoff for Coach Saddler's Stopher Gymnasium debut is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.