Feb. 2, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Central Arkansas' Nate Bowie poured in a game high 39-points, but none were bigger than his lay up with less than 45 seconds left in the second overtime period to give the Bears the 98-96 victory in Stopher Gym on Saturday night.

The Colonels (6-16, 1-6) and Bears (13-9, 3-5) went into overtime knotted up at 77, and when the first overtime period came to an end, both teams were tied at 87. Central Arkansas sealed the victory with an 11-point double overtime, and limited Nicholls to just nine points in the second extra five minutes.

"We made free throws, but didn't make them when it counted. I thought that we played tough and physical, especially with our dribble penetration. Our guys played their hearts out tonight," said head coach J.P. Piper.

Nicholls led by as many as 11-points in the early goings of the second quarter, but Central Arkansas steadily chipped away at the Colonels lead as they took their first, 65-64, at the 5:30 mark of second period. By the time the contest ended in double overtime, both teams combined for 16 lead changes and 12 ties in the thriller.

Central Arkansas had three players foul out, including two starters, before both teams tipped off in the first overtime. Nicholls' freshman Dominic Friend was the only Colonel that fouled out, and did so in the first overtime.

The Bears had five players in double-figures which includes Bowie's career best 39. Bowie was 10-of-19 from the floor, 7-of-12 from downtown, and 12-of-17 at the free throw line. York Sims had 13, Marcus Pillow and King Cannon, who both fouled out, each had 11, while Brian Marks had 10. Marks also had a game high nine rebounds.

The Colonels' senior Adonis Gray put forth his best scoring performance of the season with 25-points, but his efforts fell short in the loss. Gray, who now stands 16th on the all-time scorers list with 1,111 career points, also had four steals and three assists in the loss. Nicholls also had three other Colonels cross the decade mark with junior Ryan Bathie pouring in 21-points which included a 3-for-8 showing from downtown. Bathie now has 177 career three-point shots to his credit and 491 three-point attempts, both of which are school records.

Also scoring in double-digits was true freshman Anatoly Bose who scored 10-plus points for his ninth consecutive game with his 17-point outing. Bose also contributed a team best eight rebounds in the loss, while junior Gil Verner rounded out the Colonels double-digit scorers with 12-points, all of which came from three-point territory.

The Colonels will be back in action on Thursday February 7 in Stopher Gym as they take on league leading Lamar, who entered tonight 4-1 in conference play.

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