THIBODAUX, La. - Byron Ireland scored a game-high 24 points while Diante Smith came off the bench for 20 as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team shook off a slow start to defeat the University of Mobile, 74-65, Saturday afternoon on Broussard Court at Stopher Gymnasium. 

Nicholls (5-8) trailed at the half by five points but an 18-4 run to start the second period fueled the Colonels to a 3-0 record at home. Mobile, which defeated South Alabama earlier this season, was held to 31.4 percent from the field in the second half after using a 56 percent clip to build its halftime lead. 

The Colonels shot 70 percent during the decisive run and finished the day at 50 percent. Nicholls scored seven straight to go up 50-41, helped by a Jamal West Jr. dunk and a three-pointer from Jalen White, and never surrendered the lead the rest of the way.

West also scored in double figures with 13 points while adding seven rebounds and three blocks.

The first half saw seven lead changes with Mobile going up by as much as seven at 37-30 after Treylan Smith sank a triple with 2:25 remaining. Both teams made five three-pointers in the opening period, but Mobile needed just nine attempts while Nicholls fired up 14 from long distance. Smith led three Rams in double figures with a team-high 19 points. 

Nicholls needed just two minutes after the intermission to take the lead. A Smith steal made way for a jumper by Ireland and then on the Colonels' next possession, Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and Ireland scored again for a three-point advantage. 

The Rams scored inside before Nicholls went on its 7-0 spurt that essentially put the game out of reach. Mobile came as close as four points in the next couple minutes before the Colonels saw their largest lead at 12 points with four minutes remaining. White was fouled on a three-point shot and converted all three as Nicholls made 15 of 21 from the free throw line for the day.

Smith's 20 points was a season-high to go along with his eight rebounds and four steals. He has scored in double figures in all three games since returning from injury.

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Nicholls will open Southland Conference play next Saturday, Jan. 6, at Houston Christian. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.