McClanahan, Colonels overpower UMBC in Jamaica Classic finale

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Fueled by a season-high 26-point showing from Dexter McClanahan, the Nicholls State University men’s basketball program (3-4, 0-0 Southland) orchestrated a dominant offensive performance in Sunday night’s non-conference clash against UMBC (4-3, 0-0 America East), ousting the Retrievers by an 82-72 final mark to close out a three-day stint at the Jamaica Classic on a high note.

The overall offensive production composed by the Colonels — particularly in the first half — bordered on the overwhelming side for a UMBC squad struggling to keep pace, as the Red & Gray wrapped up the contest shooting a season-high 52.0 percent (26-of-50) from the floor as well as an impressive 65.4 percent (17-of-26) in the opening period alone. Consequently, five separate Colonels reached the double-digit plateau on the night, a program-best for the year, with all but five of the team’s 82 points (four from Andre Jones, one from Kevin Johnson) coming from those student-athletes.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
— Outside of a temporary back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the contest, the Red & Gray managed to play a majority of the the matchup from a comfortable lead; notably, the Colonels pushed ahead by double-digits at the 10:28 mark in the first half and proceeded to never allow the Retrievers back within a single-digit margin, surging to a 23-point advantage — their largest of the contest — early in the second period.
— For the game, Nicholls finished shooting 52.0 percent (26-of-50) overall, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent (23-of-30) at the charity stripe.
— As a team, the Red & Gray secured numerous season-highs in the victory, including points (82), field goal percentage (52.0, 26-of-50), turnovers surrendered (12) and both free throws made (23) and attempted (30).
— Individually, McClanahan put together yet-another dramatic half of basketball, dropping 25 of his 26 total points in the opening period behind a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor — including 4-of-4 from downtown — and 5-of-6 at the free throw line. In this year’s season opener at Illinois, the redshirt senior composed a similarly thrilling second half, racking up 20 of his 25 — including the final 10 of a 14-point run to knot the game — in a 78-70 overtime loss to the Fighting Illini.
— Fellow seniors Elvis Harvey Jr. and D’Angelo Hunter joined McClanahan in double-digit scoring figures, combining on the night for 27.
— Sophomore Warith Alatishe recorded the game’s lone double-double behind a 11 point / 12 rebound outing, his second in the past three games after posting a 17/10 showing at Rhode Island earlier this week.
— Finally, fellow sophomore Lorenzo McGhee not only picked up the first start of his Division I career, but also worked to his first-ever double-digit scoring performance as well, notching 13 points across a career-high 20 minutes of action. Notably, the Georgia native registered back-to-back-to-back layups to open the second half, extending the Red & Gray’s advantage to a commanding 23 points, the team’s largest of the contest.

UP NEXT
With the lengthy four-match roadtrip concluded, the Colonels return to the friendly confines of Thibodaux, La. for a three-game home stand, hosting a trio of non-Division I opponents — Blue Mountain College, Campbellsville-Harrodsburg & Carver College — over a two week period running from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Wednesday, Dec. 11.

STAY SOCIAL
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