THIBODAUX — Northwestern State clawed back from a nine-point halftime deficit but came up just short Monday night, falling 74–72 to first-place Nicholls in a tightly contested Southland Conference men’s basketball battle on Rickey Broussard Court at Stopher Gymnasium.
“It was a typical Southland game with two good teams,” third-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “The team that made the most plays down the stretch was going to win. We gave ourselves a chance, but we just couldn’t get certain defensive stops that we needed. When you don’t win a game like that, it stings more.”
The Demons (4-11, 2-4) were led by Micah Thomas, who began his career at Nicholls, tying his career high with 29 points, including 19 in the second half while shooting 10-of-20 from the field. Izzy Miles added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while Willie Williams recorded his second straight double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Northwestern finished the game shooting 46.4 percent from the field and held a 36–31 rebounding advantage, but Nicholls’ edge in fast-break points (14-4) and bench scoring (23-11) proved decisive
“Our margin for error is very slim, especially on the road,” Cabrera said. “I’m confident we can compete with anybody, but we have to be smarter, more disciplined, and tougher.”
The Demons erased a 40-31 halftime deficit with a 13-3 burst shortly after halftime in a game that featured 10 ties and eight lead changes.
The Colonels (7–8, 6–0) ran off eight unanswered points down the stretch to overcome a 63-61 deficit and move on top to stay.
Northwestern answered with consecutive baskets from Thomas to trim the deficit to two. After Nicholls extended the lead to four at the free-throw line, Thomas scored again in the paint with 21 seconds left to make it a one-point game.
Following two Nicholls free throws, Thomas converted a short jumper with 11 seconds remaining to cut the margin to 73–72. Nicholls added one final free throw, and Northwestern had a last look, but Chip Brunt slipped as he began a 3-point attempt just before the buzzer from 22 feet out on the left wing in transition.
The Demons are home again Saturday afternoon against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
