VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Nicholls State University men's basketball team put together its best offensive half of the young season but came up short in a 68-63 loss at Valparaiso on Wednesday night in the final game of the BBN United Classic.
Nicholls was limited to less than 20 points in the opening half for the third time in as many games, trailing 25-19, but shot 54 percent after the break to net 44 points. The Colonels also had their best three-point shooting effort, making 12 of 30 which included 7 of 14 in the second half. However, Nicholls had only one lead after the break as they slipped to 0-3 on the season.
Trae English led the offense with 14 points before fouling out with two minutes remaining. English sparked the second-half surge with the first nine points, hitting two three-pointers along with a basket-and-one.
Zaiden Cross poured in all 11 of his points after the break and his final of three three-pointers tied the game at 51 with six minutes to go.
But Nicholls missed on the front end of a one-and-one to take the lead and Valpo (2-1) answered with the next four points and kept the advantage the rest of the way. The Colonels missed two front ends of the bonus down the stretch and finished 7 of 13 from the free throw line. Valpo made 17 free throws at a 74 percent clip.
Despite the slow start on offense, Nicholls gave up just nine field goals to Valpo in the opening half. Rakim Chaney did most of the damage with 13 points and he went on to finish with a game-high 24 on 8 of 11 from the field.
To start the second half, English hit two three-balls to tie the game but again, Valpo scored the next four points. English followed with his and-1, then
Jalik Dunkley broke free for a dunk off a
Jaylen Searles block for a 30-29 advantage. It would be the only time the Colonels held the lead in the half.
Valpo saw its largest lead at 49-42 but Nicholls quickly erased the deficit with three three-point plays. Cross made a three-pointer,
Jalin Rice followed with a basket-and-one, then after two Valpo free throws, Cross tied the game with a three-ball.
After Valpo answered with the next four points, Searles drained a three to bring Nicholls within one. But Valpo went on to make seven free throws to hang on for the win.
Sincere Malone added 11 points for the Colonels and Searles finished with 10 and seven rebounds. Dunkley also had seven boards to go along with six points.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will take on Murray State on the road Saturday, Nov. 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
