Gordon, Colonels exorcise Demons in SLC road opener, 76-66

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Anchored by a dynamic double-double performance from redshirt junior Ty Gordon, the Nicholls State University men’s basketball program (5-5, 3-1 SLC) kicked off the team’s league road slate by securing a third consecutive Southland Conference victory, knocking off Northwestern State (2-13, 1-3 SLC) by a 10-point mark, 76-66, Wednesday evening at Prather Coliseum.

Despite trailing early by as many as eight points with 12:02 in the first half, the Colonels managed to recover quickly and capture a lead behind a 12-2 run over the next four minutes, holding onto that advantage till the midway point. The opening few minutes of the second half saw an identical 12-2 run by the Demons, however, as Northwestern State reclaimed a four-point edge with just over 13 minutes remaining.

A lightning response by Nicholls evaporated the Demons’ lead by the 10-minute mark, though, as the Red & Gray secured an advantage they would never surrender again off a 14-4 stretch; notably, Northwestern State closed the gap to within one with 3:55 left in the game, but three straight points from Gordon would provide the cushion needed as the Colonels wrapped up the victory.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
— For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 42.4 percent (28-of-66) from the floor, 22.7 percent (5-of-22) beyond the arc and 62.5 percent (15-of-24) at the free throw line.
— Gordon, who closed out the game flirting with a triple-double, had to settle for the squad’s first double-double of the season instead, notching 17 points with 11 boards while dishing out a team-best eight assists. The redshirt junior has now breached the double-digit plateau in nine of his career 10 games donning the Red & Gray, including each of the last seven.
— Once again, redshirt junior Najee Garvin impressed in the Colonels’ frontcourt, recording a game-high 19 points in yet-another tie of his career-best. Just a week ago against Lamar, the South Carolina native posted a career-tying 19 points as well, and has paced the Red & Gray on the scoreboard ever since (team-high 17 points vs. Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday).
— Redshirt senior Andre Jones continues to quietly make an impact as well, as his 13 points in tonight’s win over the Demons now marks his fourth straight contest with a double-digit scoring performance.
— In somewhat similar fashion, senior Ryghe Lyons has found his rhythm as the Red & Gray rim protector, as the Slidell native swatted another three blocks tonight in his fourth consecutive multi-block game.
— Flying under the radar as well, freshman Pierce Spencer crashed the glass hard off the bench for the Colonels, pulling down a team-second best eight boards.

UP NEXT
Following yet-another solid conference victory, the Red & Gray aim to maintain their momentum as the road swing continues, trekking further north to Central Arkansas for a Saturday afternoon contest against the Bears.

STAY SOCIAL
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