THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University men's basketball team begins Southland Conference play on the road with a Saturday afternoon matchup against HCU in Sharp Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Nicholls wrapped up the nonconference season with a 5-8 overall record. The Colonels won road contests at LSU and South Alabama and secured home victories against three non Division I opponents, including a 74-65 win over Mobile in their last outing on Dec. 30.

As a team, Nicholls heads into league play ranked seventh in the SLC in scoring (72.2 ppg) and fifth in points allowed (75.7). The defense has limited the opposition to 41.9 percent shooting from the field, which is the third lowest in the Southland. Head coach Tevon Saddler's squad kept seven teams to under 40 percent, including LSU, Maryland, and Louisiana Tech.

On offense, four Colonels are averaging double figures with Jamal West Jr. ranking third in the Southland at 16.5 points per game. Diante Smith is averaging 13.6 points and has scored in double figures in eight of his 10 games played, with the two exceptions being outings where he saw limited minutes in dealing with an injury. In the win over Mobile, Smith scored a season-high 20 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Byron Ireland (12.0), Jalen White (10.9) and Robert Brown III (10.1) round out the Colonels' leading scorers.

Nicholls has won the last eight meetings with HCU but the last two were decided by a combined five points. The Colonels escaped with a 92-91 win in Sharp Gym last season before securing a 68-64 victory on Senior Day.

The Huskies (2-9) have had two weeks off since their last outing, which was a 27-point loss at Texas A&M. HCU was winless in their seven road games but went 2-2 at home. The Huskies won their last contest at Sharp Gym against Champion Christian.

Jay Alvarez (14.6 ppg) and Marcus Greene (14.5) head the Husky offense. Alvarez had two 21-point outings but has not played since Dec. 9 against Texas. Greene had a season-high 23 in a two-point loss to UTSA and has scored in double figures in the last six games. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will host rival Southeastern on Monday, Jan. 8. Tipoff in Stopher Gymnasium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.