THIBODAUX, La. - After being recognized on Senior Day prior to tipoff, Trae English, Sincere Malone, Zee Hamoda and Grant Sanders all scored in double figures to propel the Nicholls State University men's basketball team to a 68-60 victory over Southeastern on Saturday afternoon on Broussard Court in Stopher Gymnasium.

Nicholls (13-17, 12-9 SLC) found itself in a 58-all tie with four minutes remaining before Malone finished a bucket inside, was fouled, and added a free throw. Then after getting a stop, Monday night's hero, English, drained a three-pointer with less than a minute to go to double the lead.

English added four free throws in the final 30 seconds to help secure the Colonels' second straight victory.

English totaled a game-high 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting and dished out five assists. Malone recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding five assists, two blocks and two steals. Sanders scored 11 points on 5 of 8 and chipped in with seven boards, two steals and a block, and Hamoda also scored 11 in the win.

The Colonels started out slow, making just three field goals as they trailed 19-9 through 10 minutes. The Lions (8-22, 5-16 SLC) stayed ahead for most of the half until Nicholls ended the period with a 10-0 run. Christian Winborne started it off with a bucket, then Sanders put down a slam after a Jalik Dunkley steal.

Malone followed with a blocked dunk and got the ball back for a three-pointer. Hamoda ended the spurt with another three-ball as Nicholls led 33-31 at the break.

The second half featured eight ties and two lead changes. Nicholls held a 55-49 advantage aided by another three-pointer by English, but SLU eventually tied it at 56 after C.J. Booker drained a triple with 6:23 remaining.

The offenses traded buckets before Malone's basket-and-one gave Nicholls the lead for good.

Both teams shot 42 percent overall and 26 percent from three-point range. The Colonels came up with nine steals off of 15 SLU turnovers, helping fuel an 18-7 advantage in points off turnovers. 

UP NEXT
The Colonels wrap up the regular season on Monday against McNeese. Monday's game will be a national broadcast on CBS Sports Network with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here.