Nicholls Men's Basketball: Colonels vs Northwestern State

THIBODAUX, Louisiana -- Heading back to the friendly confines of Stopher Gym for the first time since Jan. 2, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program (11-6, 5-1 Southland) aims to stoke the fire of the team's current hot streak behind a fifth consecutive victory, hosting in-state foe Northwestern State (6-9, 3-3 Southland) in the opening bout of a three-game home stand at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

While the Red & Gray continue to feature one of the most balanced offenses in the league (three averaging double-digit scoring), the true culprit behind the squad's four-game winning streak has been a slew of decimating defensive performances, containing all four opponents to 60 points or less while swiping an average of 10.5 steals and forcing 17.5 turnovers. Notably, consistent individual outings from sophomore Warith Alatishe -- averaging a double-double behind 10.5 ppg and 10.3 rpg -- and junior Kevin Johnson -- 11.3 ppg along with 14 total assists and eight steals -- has bolstered the Colonels throughout as well.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. Northwestern State
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, Texas
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch | Listen

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts (PDF)

Austin Claunch enters his second season at the helm for the Red & Gray, and currently sports an 25-23 (12-12) overall record with the Colonels.
The team boasts five seniors: G D'Angelo Hunter, G Tom Clement, G/F Brandon Moore Jr., G Dexter McClanahan & F Elvis Harvey Jr.
This year's roster is highlighted by five newcomers, as redshirt senior G D'Angelo Hunter (West Virginia), redshirt junior G Andre Jones (Arkansas-Little Rock) & redshirt senior G Dexter McClanahan (Savannah State) all became eligible following transfers from fellow collegiate programs while sophomore G Lorenzo McGhee (Columbia State CC) climbed aboard via a JUCO program & freshman G Tyrease Terrell signed on directly from high school. On the bench, senior F Jaylen Fornes (UNC-Wilmington), redshirt sophomore F Najee Garvin (Charlotte) & redshirt sophomore G Isaac Johnson (Western Illinois) will sit out due to NCAA Transfer Restrictions.
This season's depth chart features four players from across the state of Louisiana, three from Georgia, a pair from Texas and one from each of the following: Kentucky, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Minnesota & California.
The Colonels were projected to finish 11th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
Nicholls returns two of last season's five starters, including junior G Kevin Johnson & senior G/F Brandon Moore Jr.

UP NEXT
The three-game home stretch for the Colonels continues this Saturday, Jan. 18 as the Red & Gray host the backend of a double-header against Central Arkansas, tipoff with the Bears scheduled for 3 p.m. at Stopher Gym.

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