Nicholls opens home, conference slate against Sam Houston

THIBODAUX, La. — Exactly one week removed from a near-upset of in-state power LSU following a 25-day hiatus due to COVID-19 protocol, the Nicholls State University men’s basketball program (2-4, 0-0 Southland) aims to kickoff the new year on a high note as the team hosts Sam Houston State (6-5, 0-0 Southland) in what-has-become both the home and Southland Conference opener, battling the Bearkats on Saturday at Stopher Gym as the latter end of a doubleheader with women’s basketball, tip set for approximately 5 p.m. on ESPN+.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Sam Houston State | Game Notes (PDF)
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 2 | ~5 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch — ESPN+ | Listen — 100.3 FM ESPN New Orleans

Notably, the Colonels proved most competitive after the forced 25 days away from official competition, continually causing problems for host LSU throughout the entirety of last Saturday’s contest at Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers maintained some form of a lead starting at the 17:07 mark in the first half, but a consistent attack by the Red & Gray never allowed LSU to grow that advantage beyond 11 points; in fact, Nicholls even pulled back within five with under a minute remaining in regulation.

Individually, redshirt senior Damien Sears made his mark behind a career-high 20-point performance at LSU, leading the Colonels on the scoreboard while fellow senior Jeremiah Buford tacked on 14 points and redshirt junior Ty Gordon racked up 12 of his own. Gordon continues to showcase serious capability as one of the Red & Gray’s top options across six contests thus far, averaging 13.7 points per game along with a squad-high 22 assists.

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts (PDF) | Record Book (PDF)

• Austin Claunch remains in his third season at the helm for the Red & Gray, sporting a 37-31 (22-16 SLC) overall record with the Colonels.
• The team boasts seven seniors: G Kevin Johnson, C Ryghe Lyons, G Jeremiah Buford, G Andre Jones, G Jaylen Fornes, F Damien Sears and G Shawn Williams.
• This year’s roster is highlighted by 11 newcomers, including: six transfers from fellow Division I collegiate programs, two who joined the ranks via JUCO programs and another trio who signed on directly from high school. Of the six DI transfers, three — redshirt senior G Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington) along with redshirt juniors G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) and F Najee Garvin (Charlotte) — are of specific note, as each enter the season with one full year with the program after sitting out 2019-20 due to NCAA transfer restrictions.
• This season’s depth chart features seven players from across the state of Louisiana, a pair from Little Rock, Ark., and one from each of the following: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota and Texas.
• The Colonels were projected to finish fourth in the Southland Conference, per the league’s preseason poll. Notably, Nicholls had yet to notch a single-digit ranking since the 2014-15 poll, in which the Red & Gray pulled off an eighth-place finish.
• Nicholls returns two of last season’s five starters: senior G Kevin Johnson and redshirt senior G Andre Jones.

After kicking off the conference slate against Sam Houston State, the Red & Gray continue their three-game stretch at Stopher Gym with a Wednesday night matchup versus Lamar, tipoff set for 7 p.m.

For more information on Colonels Men’s Basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_MBB), Instagram (@nicholls_mbb) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).