March 1, 2007
Box Score
THIBODAUX, La. - Junior Lamar Sanders recorded his 10th double-double of the season, but Lamar University could not overcome the hot-shooting Colonels as Nicholls State shocked the Cardinals 105-90 in Southland Conference basketball action Thursday night at Stopher Gymnasium.
Lamar, who has lost two straight after posting a four-game winning streak, dropped to 13-16 overall and 7-8 in SLC play. Nicholls State improved to 8-21 overall and 7-8 in SLC play. The Cardinals return home to host Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at 7 p.m. Lamar must win that game to have a chance at making the O'Reilly Auto Parts SLC Tournament March 8-11 at the Campbell Center in Houston.
Brandon Chappell hit a three-pointer in the first five seconds of the game to give Lamar a quick 3-0 lead. Ryan Bathie of Nicholls hit a jumper and Mitch Boyce nailed a three-pointer from deep in the right corner that gave the Colonels the lead and Stefan Blaszczynksi followed with a 3-pointer to put Nicholls up 8-3. The Colonels would lead the rest of the game.
Nicholls shot a hefty 53.8 percent (21-of-39) from the field and 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from 3-point range in the first half to take a 60-47 halftime lead. The Cardinals made 9-of-22 from 3-point range in the first half, but just couldn't keep pace with the Colonels.
Sanders tried to keep the Cardinals in the game almost single-handedly. He scored four of Lamar's first eight baskets to open the second half, the last of which pulled the Cardinals within seven, 68-61, with 13:32 remaining in the game. Nicholls responded with a 9-3 run to push the lead back to 13, 77-64, on a layup by Gil Verner at 10:13.
Sanders scored a season-high 29 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field and grabbed 16 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. He also blocked four shots. Darren Hopkins scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out a season-high nine assists. Matthew Barrow added 12 points off the bench.
Lamar shot 46.6 percent (34-of-73) from the field, 36.8 percent (14-of-38) from 3-point range and 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from the free throw line. The Cardinals outrebounded Nicholls 42-33 and committed a season-low eight turnovers.
Nicholls placed six of its seven players in double-figures led by Ryan Bathie's 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Adonis Gray scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Blaszczynski and Boyce each scored 16 points, and Verner came off the bench to score 17 points. Justin Payne recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 assists.
Nicholls shot 55.4 percent (36-of-65) from the field, 54.1 percent (20-of-37) from 3-point range and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the free throw line. The Colonels had 27 assists and just seven turnovers.
