THIBODAUX, La. – Junior Avery Sullivan scored a game-high 24 points and senior T.J. Atwood netted 21 points but Lamar University came up just short at Nicholls, 69-65, Wednesday evening at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, La.
 
The Cardinals (12-13/6-8 SLC) shot nearly 46 percent from the field but couldn't keep up their pace from the opening half that saw them shoot 52 percent. Big Red struggled from three-point range converting just 2-of-11 (.182) attempts from long range. The Cardinals were 21-of-25 (.840) from the free throw line.
 
Freshman Ayaan Sohail also finished the night in double figures scoring 10 points on 2-of-3 (.667) shooting. He was also 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
 
Nicholls finished the game 30-of-65 (.462) from the floor, including eight three-pointers. The Colonels had three players in double figures led by 19 from Dexter McClanahan.
 
The Cardinals were hurt by turnovers finishing the night with 17 which Nicholls converted into 20 points. LU forced 11 from Nicholls but cashed them in for just 12 points.
 
"I thought we fought hard tonight, but Nicholls fought a little bit harder," said LU head coach Tic Price. "Being shorthanded tonight, we weren't able to substitute the way we like and I think some of our guys got a bit winded late.
 
"We have to put this one behind us because we have an important game coming up Saturday. We have to get ready to face Houston Baptist," added Price.
 
The Cardinals got out to a hot start knocking down five of their first nine attempts, including a 3-of-4 from Atwood. The Beaumont native was one of two Cardinals in double figures in the open half. Atwood scored 12 in the first 20 minutes while Sullivan scored 18 on 6-of-8 shooting.
 
The LU duo scored 30 of the Cardinals' 38 first half points as the Big Red shot 13-of-25 (.520) from the field in the opening half.
 
LU surrendered the lead for the first time in the contest following a turnover which Nicholls converted into a fast break basket at the other end. The score gave Nicholls a 35-34 lead with 1:18 on the clock. LU responded getting the ball back for the final shot of the half, the Cards got the ball to Sullivan standing 18 feet from the basket. The Pflugerville native spun and sunk the jumper right at the buzzer to give Big Red the advantage heading into the locker room.
 
The Colonels shot 47 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes but kept the game the close due to their success from three-point range. Nicholls converted 5-of-13 (.385) of their three-point attempts in the opening half.
 
After a slow start to the second half, the Cardinals managed to get their lead back to five points, 46-41, following two Sullivan free throws – he finished the night 10-of-10 at the stripe. Nicholls responded to the free throws with a 10-0 run over the next 3:13 to take a five-point lead – their largest of the game at the time.
 
LU didn't allow their hosts to run off and hide as the Cardinals battled back to tie the game at 51 just over two minutes later. Unfortunately, the Cardinals couldn't keep the run alive as Nicholls responded by scoring 10 of the next 13 points to build their lead to seven.
 
The Cardinals managed to trim the deficit back to two points but could get no closer as Nicholls hit their attempts at the free throw line.  
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they return home to host Houston Baptist. The game against the Huskies will tip off at 2 p.m. from the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.