Nicholls broke their losing streak after beating McNeese State University before the Mardi Gras break.

The Colonels had not won a game since their encounter with Abilene Christian University in Jan. The Colonels were then able to claim two consecutive wins after their (71-60) win against University of the Incarnate Word.

“Its all about effort and matching it or cancelling what they do,” Center Liam Thomas said.

Not focusing on the previous losses, the team put in the effort needed to earn their (71-56) win. The Colonels almost completely owned the paint, having earned a 46-14 edge on points and a 48-30 rebounding margin. The Colonels finished the contest with more assists (13-5), blocks (10-2), second chance points (15-11), fast break points (10-7) and bench points (19-17).
At the start, the Cowboys trailed the Colonels 10-8 at the 13:50 mark, but the Colonels rode an 11-0 run over two minutes to gain a 13-point advantage. With 4:28 remaining, forward Luka Kamber hit a jumper that gave Nicholls the lead that brought the Colonels to a 39-32 advantage. Center Liam Thomas scored nine points and contributed four assists. Guard TJ Carpenter made an all-around game with a team-high four assists to go along with eight points, seven boards and a steal. Guard Jonathan Bell set the tone of the night with a three-pointer to set off the game and finished off with 15 points, two blocks, a steal and a rebound. Forward Ja’Dante Frye scored nine points and pulled down five boards. Center Kyle Caudill finished with eight points, four rebounds and an assist. Guard Schane Rillieux played stifling defense and earned five points, three boards, an assist and a steal.

“It’s unbelievable since there has not been a lot of winning, but I am excited about breaking though,” head coach JP. Piper said.
After a win two days before, the Colonels kept the momentum from the game against McNeese in the game against UIW. The Colonels earned a (71-60) victory over UIW. After ending their drought, the Colonels proved the game against McNeese was not an accident, especially against one of the league’s premier teams.

The 21-point lead was due to an efficient offense and intimidating defense. Ending the game with only four blocks, Thomas and Ward, along with other Colonels altered upward of 30 shots.
The Colonels went through a game changing transformation that allowed them to have a solid mentality and change the direction of the results.

With two wins in their back pockets and renewed confidence, the Colonels took on Southeastern Louisiana University this past Saturday. The results were not in favor of the Colonels, with a loss of 61-69. The Colonels held a 55.6 percent shot in the opening period, but a 31.6 percent in the second. With a shooting percentage of 46.4 percent, the Colonels missed 15 attempts at the charity stripe. The Colonels entered the game with a matchup of 78 points but finished with 10 against the Lions.

The Colonels lead the game for an estimated 28 minutes with a 14-point advantage until the Lions stepped-up their game. With the seconds clicking down in the final two minutes of the first quarter, guard Quinton Thomas drilled a three-pointer that lead the Colonels with its largest advantage; however, it was not enough to keep the Colonels from falling behind the Lions after they scored six points in the final minutes of the half.
Frye (12 points), Carpenter (seven rebounds) and Rilleux (five assists) led Nicholls with guard Adam Ward having a career-high three blocks along with nine points, four boards and a steal. Guard Jonathan Bell followed behind with nine points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist.

With a season not going as expected the team sticks together for support and motivation. The two wins was a confidence reboot that has brought the team not only closer but has brought a step up to in defense. With players agreeing on coming together to continue to win and to take each game one at a time.

“We have to stay hungry for more wins, and keep going to not stay content,” Carpenter said.