HAMMOND, La. - In a frantic final 30 seconds of overtime, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team erased a six-point deficit thanks to Robert Brown III who had three free throws before banking home a three with four seconds remaining, but Southeastern answered with their own desperation three at the buzzer for an 84-81 victory on Saturday at the University Center.

The loss snaps a five-game winning streak for Nicholls (15-11, 9-6 SLC) in the series with its last setback to SLU (17-9, 11-4 SLC) also coming on a buzzer-beater in Hammond. The Lions split the season series with the Colonels and move two games ahead of them in the standings with five games remaining.

Brown scored 28 in the loss and made 6 of 12 from three-point range. He was joined in double figures by Jamal West Jr. (16 points), Trae English (12) and Jaylen Searles (10). Sincere Malone grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds while English dished out eight assists.

Nicholls trailed for most of the first half but a pair of late three-pointers gave the Colonels a 38-33 lead at the break. Brown sank a three to up his point total to 15 in the half before Searles drained one with the clock winding down.

In the second half, Nicholls never trailed and led by as much as 12 midway through the period. SLU chipped the deficit down to four with less than three minutes remaining; however, the Colonels got a clutch three-ball by West as the shot clock expired.

But the Lions stormed back with eight points by Jakevion Buckley to force overtime. He made two threes with a West free throw in between, then converted on game-tying free throws with 9 seconds to go. West was able to get off a layup but the ball rimmed out, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Malone had a dunk with 2:33 remaining for a 75-74 advantage but SLU would score the next seven points, setting up the frantic finish. Brown was fouled shooting a three with 14 seconds to go and converted all three, then the Colonels forced a turnover on the inbounds pass. English then found Brown on the wing for the game-tying three-ball, knotting the score at 81.

OH MY GOODNESS THE BANK IS OPEN

ROB BROWN III FOR 3 TO TIE TIE!!!!!#GTL x @NICHOLLS_MBB pic.twitter.com/XkdUmx4b0A

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) February 15, 2025

With only four seconds left, Sam Hines Jr. got up the court and heaved up a three as time expired to keep the Lions' winning streak alive at five games. Hines led SLU with 25 points and Buckley scored 23. 

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Nicholls will have a quick turnaround with a Monday night matchup with New Orleans. Tipoff on the Lakefront is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.