After a thrilling 76-75 win over McNeese State on Thursday, UCA couldn’t make it two straight on the road, falling to Nicholls State 78-67 Saturday in Thibodaux, LA.
With the loss, UCA is now 2-7 in Southland Conference play and 5-15 overall. Nicholls State moved to 10-8 and 7-2 in conference.
The Bears were led by Senior guard LaQuentin Miles, who followed up his game-winning shot on Thursday with 22 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard DeShone McClure added 15 points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench.
“We’ll just return to practice Monday and keep working hard every day,” Miles said. “We like to take it one game at a time.”
Junior guard Aubrey Ball had nine points after a season-high 23 against the Cowboys, in which he shot 7-9 from three point range.
“Splitting these two road games was a step forward but the next two games are must-win games if we want to make the Southland tournament,” McClure said. “They are the most important games of the season.”
Three players scored in double-figures for the Colonels, including a double-double from Senior guard Dantrell Thomas with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Sam McBeath had 20 points along with five rebounds, and Senior guard Jeremy Smith added 16 points.
The Bears trailed by two points at the half, with the Colonels having the 34-32 advantage. Nicholls State stretched the lead to nine midway through the second half, before UCA made it a two-point game again at 66-64 with four minutes left. However the Colonels would end the game on a 12-3 run that saw the Bears struggle to shoot the ball.
Up next for UCA is the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday in the Farris Center. The Lions are 4-5 in conference play and 9-11 overall. Ticket information is available at ucasports.com.
