Dec. 26, 2007

THIBODAUX, La. - After taking a week off, the Colonels will be back in action in the Duel in the Desert Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nicholls will first tip off in the tournament against Minnesota on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Colonels (4-8) will suit up against the UNLV Runnin' Rebels on Saturday and the Kennesaw State Owls on Sunday. The three games will be the last three non-conference contest of the season before starting conference play against Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in David R. Stopher Gym.

Nicholls has played nine of their first 12 games on the road, while Minnesota (8-1) has only played two contests away from their home court. The Golden Gophers are 1-1 on the road and 7-0 at home.

Senior Adonis Gray heads into the contest against the Golden Gophers with 1,049 career points, just seven behind Dale Melancon (1966-70) on the all-time scorers list. Gray, who is averaging 8.4 points per game, will be reunited with former high school teammate Damian Johnson when the Colonels and Golden Gophers play. Johnson, a sophomore guard for Minnesota, is averaging 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.

The Colonels feature two players averaging double digits on the season with junior Ryan Bathie leading the way with an 11.9 per game average. Sophomore Michael Czepil is averaging 11.8, respectively, while also leading the conference in free throw percentage with a .960 mark.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. in the Thomas and Mack Center on Friday. Brennan Matherne will provide the play-by-play for the game with pre-game starting at 6:45 p.m. on 105.9 FM KBZE, the flagship station for Colonel Athletics. The game can also be heard on 640 AM KTIB and on the internet at www.kbze.com.

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