THIBODAUX, La. - In a game that featured 10 ties and eight lead changes, the Nicholls State University men's basketball team used an 8-0 run down the stretch to grab the lead for good as the Colonels staved off Northwestern State, 74-72, Monday night on Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium. 

With the victory, Nicholls (7-8, 6-0 SLC) continued its best start in league play in over 25 years. Following Monday's SLC results, the Colonels stand alone in first place in the Southland standings as the lone unbeaten team. 

Jaylen Searles paced a trio of double-digit scorers with 18 points on 6 of 12 from the field. Jalik Dunkley, who was named SLC Player of the Week earlier in the day, had 17 points and seven rebounds while Jalin Rice totaled 12 points off the bench.

With Nicholls trailing 63-61 at the seven-minute mark, Rice started the decisive run with a bucket inside. Sincere Malone then found Dunkley for a layup for the lead and followed with his own field goal in the paint. Searles capped the run with a dish to Nick Krass for an easy layup, making the score 69-63 with four minutes remaining.

Northwestern State's Micah Thomas, who had a game-high 29 points, scored the next four points to keep the Demons within striking distance, but Dunkley had another strong finish inside to make it a four-point game. After NSU split a pair at the free throw line and another Thomas bucket, Malone came through with clutch free throws with 19 seconds for a 73-70 lead.

Thomas once again scored with five seconds remaining and Rice was able to make it a two-point game after sinking one free throw. The Demons got off a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer but it was off the mark.

Despite the three late free throws in the final seconds, Nicholls had a rough night at the line by making just 15 of 31. The Demons finished 15 of 21 from the charity stripe.

Nicholls shot 50 percent from the field while the defense forced 12 turnovers, with nine coming in the first half. Neither team took control in the period until the Colonels used a 13-0 run to lead 37-25 with two minutes until the intermission. A Rice steal led to a Dunkley slam for the final field goal of the spurt. 

The Colonels went into the half with a 40-31 lead.

Early in the second stanza, NSU pieced together an 11-0 run to regain the advantage. The Demons stayed in front until Searles tied the game at 55-all with a three-pointer midway through the half. The Colonels tied it up three more times before their late run was enough to fuel the victory.

Trae English and Malone chipped in with eight points each, and Malone added three steals. For the Demons, Willie Williams had a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with 14 points.

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Nicholls will head to New Orleans for a Saturday (Jan. 10) matchup against the Privateers. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.