NEW ORLEANS - The Nicholls State University men's basketball team erased a 10-point halftime deficit to lead 59-53 with 12 minutes to go, but the Tulane Green Wave went on a 17-0 run to hand the Colonels an 82-72 loss on Friday afternoon inside Fogleman Arena.

Trailing 46-36 at the half, Nicholls (0-6) dominated the first eight minutes by outscoring Tulane 23-7 to grab a six-point lead. Jaylen Searles, who scored a game-high 22, canned three three-pointers during the stretch including back-to-back triples that made it 59-53. 

But after a timeout, the Green Wave kept Nicholls without a field goal over the next eight minutes as the Colonels fell short of their first win of the season.

Searles shot 8 of 12 from the field and 6 of 9 from three-point range, leading four Colonels in double figures. Jalik Dunkley had 14 points and 15 rebounds for his second straight double-double, while Sincere Malone added 13 points and Trae English chipped in with 12.

Nicholls shot 49 percent overall and 43 percent from behind the arc, but had a rough day at the free throw line. The Colonels hit just 11 of 26 from the line while Tulane (5-2) connected on 17 of 25.

Nicholls started the game ice cold as Tulane jumped out to an 11-1 lead. Tulane led by as much as 14 in the half before going into the break with a 10-point edge.

The Colonels' second-half surge started on three-pointers by Searles and Dunkley. Then five minutes into the half, Searles drained a jumper to give Nicholls its first lead at 49-48. Tulane briefly regained the advantage on a Scotty Middleton three-ball before Searles kept hitting from deep, putting Nicholls back on top at 54-53. 

Dunkley followed with a steal and a highlight slam, and another turnover led to another Searles three-pointer, forcing a Tulane timeout. However, the Green Wave would take complete control over the next eight minutes.

Tulane put together its 17-0 run by making seven straight field goals. Nicholls ended the drought with a Dunkley free throw, but wouldn't make another field goal until Searles connected on a three with 4:16 remaining, cutting the deficit to 74-63.

For the rest of the way, Tulane did not let Nicholls within seven points en route to the victory.

Tulane also had four players score in double figures, led by Asher Woods with 19 and Curtis Williams Jr. with 16.

UP NEXT
Nicholls will play its final game of its seven-game road stretch to start the season, heading to Creighton on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m.