MOBILE, Ala. - Following a triple overtime game less than 24 hours ago, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team was back at it again to wrap up the Jaguar Classic and came away with a 60-51 loss to SIUE on Friday night at the Mitchell Center.

Nicholls (2-3) struggled to find its offense all night, shooting a season low 26 percent from the field and 7 of 27 from three-point range. The Colonels were dialed in again from the free throw line, making 16 of 18.

SIUE (3-2) didn't shoot much better at 35 percent but the Cougars pounded the Colonels on the glass with a 50-32 advantage and were able to turn that into a 16-5 edge in second chance points. It was the second game Nicholls was without its starting center, Mekhi Collins, who suffered an injury in Wednesday's opener.

Diante Smith led the offense with 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Micah Thomas and Oumar Koureissi came off the bench with nine points each.

It looked like it was going to be another hot-shooting night for the Colonels as they sank three from downtown in the first 10 minutes. Jalen White started the scoring with a three-pointer and then Smith made two, giving Nicholls a 15-12 advantage. But SIUE scored the next 10 points and led 27-23 at the half.

After the break, the Cougars led the rest of the way but were never up by double figures. However, the closest Nicholls got was at the 14:31 mark when a strong finish inside by Robert Brown III made it a 33-29 deficit. SIUE found a way to answer each run, including hitting two three-pointers in the final two minutes.

Shamar Wright led SIUE with 14 points. 

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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.