Jan. 11, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - After an exhilarating win to start off conference action, Nicholls will continue league play as they venture off to take on Sam Houston State on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Nicholls (6-10, 1-0) defeated Stephen F. Austin (12-2, 0-1) on Thursday night, 58-57, in overtime in Stopher Gym. The Lumberjacks were riding a 10-game win streak and off to their best start to a season in 26-years before their close loss to the Colonels. SFA's Matt Kingsley, who entered the game the conference's leading scorer, was held to just four points, all of which came from the free throw line.

With two starters out in the contest (Michael Czepil and Adonis Gray) due to injury, true freshman Anatoly Bose stepped up to score 17 points, and shot 5-of-9 from three-point territory. Bose's last three point attempt in overtime fell short, but junior Ryan Bathie made the put back with less than a second left to lift the Colonels over the Lumberjacks.

Sam Houston State (12-2, 0-1) is coming off of a 61-58 loss to Southeastern La. (9-5, 1-0) on Wednesday night in Huntsville, Tex. In the game, the Lions shot 50 percent (5-of-10) from downtown, while the Bearkats compiled a staggering 9.1 percent (1-of-11) from three-point range. Sam Houston State's Ryan Bright, who is the only player in the conference averaging a double-double (11.5 ppg 11.4 rpg), had 13 points and 12 rebounds, but committed a team worst four turnovers.

In last year's contest, Sam Houston State torched Nicholls in Stopher Gym, 81-61, despite a 20-point effort from former Colonel Stefan Blaszczynski. The difference in the game was turnovers as Nicholls committed 26 to Sam Houston State's 13.

The Colonels have not beaten the Bearkats on the hardwood since the 2005-06 season when Nicholls won 80-73 in Stopher Gym. Nicholls has not defeated Sam Houston State in Benard G. Johnson Coliseum since the 2000-01 season when the Colonels won 74-70.

The game can be heard on 105.9 FM KBZE and 690 AM KTIB locally with pre-game starting at 6:45 p.m. Brennan Matherne will provide all the play-by-play action from Huntsville, Tex., and listeners outside the listening area can catch the game on the internet at www.kbze.com.

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