THIBODAUX, La. –  After picking up a victory on Monday night, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team beat UTRGV 93-84 inside Stopher Gym on Saturday evening. 
 
Following a slow start, Nicholls (17-11, 11-6 SLC) trailed 35-21 with just over four minutes to play in the first half before the Colonels flipped the switch. 
 
Michael Gray Jr. got the action started when he converted an and-1, followed by a Byron Ireland layup. Next, Gray hit back-to-back triples before a Sincere Malone jumper at the buzzer gave the Colonels the lead. Following a 15-0 run, the Nicholls led 36-35 at the intermission. 
 
The Red & Gray's momentum carried into the second half as the unit connected on 19 field goals while shooting 65 percent from the field. The teams traded the lead throughout the second stanza. 
 
However, after the Vaqueros tied the game at 73 with six minutes to go, the Colonels pieced together a 12-4 run across the next five minutes to take control of the game. The run was sparked by back-to-back highlight dunks -- first a Jaylen Searles flush, then a steal and transition alley-opp finish by Sincere Malone. The Colonels hit clutch free throws down the stretch to keep the distance. 
 
The Colonels had four double digit scorers as Jamal West Jr. hit 8 of 10 from the field, finishing with 22 points while grabbing a game- high 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double od the season. After missing the last two games, Gray returned to drain 4 of 6 from long range to finish with 21 points. Robert Brown III was 6 of 12 from the field and finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Searles tallied 12 points and six boards while Malone added nine points and five rebounds. 
 
UP NEXT
The Colonels will host Texas A&M- Corpus Christi on Monday, Feb. 24 for their home finale. Tipoff from Stopher Gym is scheduled for 6:30 pm.