THIBODAUX, La. - Four Colonels scored in double figures, led by
Diante Smith with 18, as the Nicholls State University men's basketball team led wire to wire against Southeastern in a 66-61 victory Tuesday night on Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium.
Nicholls (7-8, 2-0 SLC) led by as much as 16 in the first half but had to fight off a 15-2 run by Southeastern (6-9, 1-1 SLC) that carried into the second half. Each time the Lions looked to completely erase the deficit, the Colonels found a way to stay in front. After connecting on six three-pointers in the first 20 minutes, the Red and Gray had just three in the second half but two came on back-to-back possessions that gave Nicholls a 61-54 lead with 2:30 remaining.
SLU came within three down the stretch before
Mekhi Collins stuffed a shot inside with less than 30 seconds to go. Nicholls finished off another strong night at the free throw with three at the stripe, connecting on 15 of 21 for the game.
Smith, the reigning Southland Player of the Week, drained 4 of 7 from distance and added seven assists and two steals.
Jamal West Jr. and
Robert Brown III, who had one of the late triples, each scored 16 and
Byron Ireland recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds while adding four steals.
West scored the game's first five points and Nicholls quickly grabbed a 10-2 advantage. Smith then found Ireland and Brown from three-pointers to give the Colonels their first double-digit lead at 16-5.
The Colonels allowed just 15 points through the first 15 minutes and saw their largest lead at 31-15 after another Ireland three ball. Despite a pair of blocks by
Oumar Koureissi on the same possession, SLU's Nick Caldwell was able to score inside to start an 11-1 Lion run to close out the half.
In the second period, Caldwell scored again to make it a two-point game before Nicholls countered with six straight. Smith canned a three-pointer before Ireland cut through the defense to bring the lead back up to 38-33.
For the rest of the game, Southeastern came with three points three times but Nicholls answered on each occasion. The first was at the 7:55 mark when Brown doubled the lead with a basket-and-one. Then with the score at 55-52, Smith sank a deep three-pointer.
With 1:12 remaining, Caldwell cut the lead in half with a three-pointer. Nicholls came up empty on the next possession but Collins delivered on the defensive end with his second block on the night. West added a free throw and Smith made both of his after Southeastern was called for a late technical.
Both teams shot 44 percent on the night but once again, free throw shooting was in favor for the Colonels. Nicholls shot 71 percent while SLU made just 6 of 11.
Caldwell led Southeastern with 20 points on 9 of 12 from the field and Brody Rowbury scored 15.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will continue its three-game homestand with a matchup against Lamar University. Game time on Saturday, Jan 13 is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will follow the women's game at 1 p.m.
