Men’s Basketball season comes to an end in Southland Conference tournament

One of the more storied seasons in program history for the Nicholls State University men’s basketball team came to an end on Friday night as they fell to Stephen F. Austin University by a score of 78-66 in the Southland Conference tournament semi-finals.

The Lumberjacks went on to capture the Southland Conference tournament title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.

GAME RECAP
With the Colonels once again having to play without starting guard Tevon Saddler, due to injury, the team’s offense struggled. Nicholls shot a season-low 29% from the field on the night, including a first half in which they went 6-31 from the field.

The Colonels were blitzed early as Stephen F. Austin started the game on a 24-9 lead, which Nicholls was unable to recover from.

Throughout the game, the Lumberjacks, especially forward T.J. Holyfield, who recorded eight blocks on the night, were able to dominate the interior on the defensive side of the ball.

Senior guard Roddy Peters got the start in place of Saddler, and poured in 26 points and 12 rebounds. With the team’s usual sixth-man being forced into the starting lineup, the Colonels’ bench struggled, and was outscored by a wide 31-3 margin.

Guard Lafayette Rutledge also provided his usual influx of scoring and spacing, dropping 24 points and 6 rebounds on 6-18 shooting from three point range. The Colonel defense was able to limit the Lumberjacks to only 18.8%, shooting from three.