Mobile Falls Short Against Nicholls State University 81-71

THIBODAUX, La. - Led by team-leading scorers Willie Depron and junior sharp-shooter Jason Wilkins, the Colonels of Nicholls State University (4-3) defeated the UM Rams (8-2) 81-71.

Playing the NCAA Division I Southland Conference member for the first time in the program's history, the NAIA 13th-ranked Rams struggled to gain any momentum as they were besieged by foul trouble.

Losing two starters in the latter part of the second half and two other starters flirting with the same demize as they had four, UM was unable to put together a run to close a double-digit second half gap.

Nip and tuck in the early goings, the Colonels started a 7-0 run midway through the first half to take an 18-11 lead.

The Rams responded however, and with 7:34 remaining the Rams used an 8-0 run to tie the game at 20-20. It was newcomer Jacob Frasier that led the way as he burried a three-pointer to start the run with another three to cap the run.

Nicholls state once again answered the call.

The Colonels outscored the Rams 11-3 in the remaining five minutes while holding them to 26 percent shooting from the floor as they took a 31-23 lead into the half.

Scoring all 14 of his points in the second half, Jason Wilkins (4-of-6 from behind the arc) helped lead a second half surge that saw Nicholls State hold as much as a 20 point lead. He was joined by Depron, a junior point guard who leads the Colonels with 18.7 ppg, who scorched Mobile for 24 points while pulling down 9 rebounds and nabbing 6 steals.

Jacob Frasier, who scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half, went 5-of-11 from downtown to help keep the Rams in the game down the stretch. Tramaine Perry (16 points) and Gimel Lewis (10 points) rounded out the trio of Rams scoring in double-figures.

The Rams will have a day off before squaring off against Sun Belt Conference champion, University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cajun Dome.

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