As many Louisianans are looking forward to Feb. 7 as the day the Saints go to the Superbowl, the Colonels men’s basketball team are looking to bounce back after ending their home-court winning streak Saturday.With a 19-point loss to Southeastern Louisiana in Stopher Gym, the Colonels came exactly eight days short of having a loss-free home-court advantage.
The Colonels’ first loss in just less than a year came against a SELU team.
In the first half, the Lions shot a 69.6 field goal percentage (16-23), a 71.4 three-point field goal percentage (5-7) and a 83.3 free throw percentage (5-6) to go into the locker room 42-40 after a half court shot by junior guard Kellan Carter brushed the front of the rim.
The second half proved to be a continuation of high percentages as the Lions went 15-25 or 60.0 percent from field goal range, 4-6 or 66.7 percent from three-point range and 8-12 or 66.7 from free throws.
Out of the nine three-point shots made by SELU, Lion Trent Hutchin made seven, totaling 21 total points from three-point range, not including six other points from field goal range. Hutchin is ranked second in the Southland Conference in three-point field goal percentage and fifth in three-point field goals made.
Also accumulating 27 points for the Lions was their 6’7 center, Patrick Sullivan. Sullivan hit 10-14 from field goal range and 5-6 from the free-throw line. Sullivan also recorded a game-high 12 rebounds. Sullivan is ranked sixth in the SLC in scoring, fourth in rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage, second in blocked shots and second in defensive rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Colonels had two standout players.
Keeping up with Hutchin and Sullivan was sophomore forward Fred Hunter, who also posted 27 points, tying his career high. Hunter is eighth in the SLC in scoring and 10th in offensive rebounds.
Junior guard/forward Anatoly Bose added 24 points for the Colonels. Bose would be the only other Colonel to score in double digits. Bose is ranked second in the SLC in scoring, 10th in rebounding, ninth in free throw percentage, third in three-point field goals percentage, tied for seventh in defensive rebounds and leads the conference in minutes played, averaging 35.6 out of 40 per game.
The only other Colonels who would score for a combined 11 points were junior guards Carter and Kenny Franklin Jr., as well as sophomore point guard Chris Iles. Franklin would be the only bench player to score.
The Colonels will play Texas A&M Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas Feb. 6 before returning home to take on Sam Houston State Feb. 10.
