All eyes were on newcomer Ronnie Price, a freshman from Friendswood, Texas during the Colonels basketball team’s exhibition game Tuesday night in Stopher gym. Price led the team in scoring with a total of 23 points. The Colonels basketball team were defeated 70-73 by Ezybonds, a semi-pro team from Australia. The Colonels battled hard all the way until the end of the game.

“This was just a learning experience for us,” Price said. “This was our first time playing as a team. This is only going to make us better and prepare us for Mississippi State later on this week.”

Beau O’Quin, a second year player from Larose contributed thirteen points to the Colonel score along with Dominique Geason, a freshman from Kenner who scored eight. Other points were scored by Zach Ray (5 points), Reggie Williams (4 points), Shane Beaudoin (7 points), Larry Jones (6 points) and Clifton Jones (4 points).

The men led control of the game at the end of the first half, 35-33. After the break, Ezybond returned with a stronger force which enabled them to defeat the Colonels.

While Ricky Broussard has managed to bring back eight returning players, the future of the team looks even brighter with Price.

“The team is wonderful,” Price said. “We all get along and we are all working to accomplish one goal. It’s great.”

The Colonels will face one of the toughest schedules in school history. They will face off with past national champs UNLV and Michigan State and two other teams (LSU and Mississippi State) that have been to Final Fours. The men will face off at Mississippi State Saturday for their first game of the season.