Nicholls Colonels Edge East Texas A&M Lions 72-68
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · The Field House
Nicholls Colonels 72, East Texas A&M Lions 68, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Nicholls Colonels vs East Texas A&M Lions?
Nicholls Colonels beat East Texas A&M Lions 72-68 at The Field House on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in Nicholls Colonels vs East Texas A&M Lions?
East Texas A&M Lions were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Nicholls Colonels defeated the East Texas A&M Lions 72-68 at The Field House. This victory marks the Colonels' continued dominance over the Lions, extending their head-to-head record to 4-0 in their last four meetings. The Colonels had previously won against the Lions 80-58 earlier this season on January 3, 2026, and their success in recent encounters has made this fixture particularly noteworthy.
Entering the game, both teams had struggled in their recent outings. The East Texas A&M Lions held a record of 8-14 for the season, while the Nicholls Colonels were slightly better at 9-13. The Lions had a challenging last ten games, finishing with a record of 2-6-2, and were on a one-game losing streak. They averaged 53.1 points scored while allowing 58.3 points per game during this stretch. At home, they had a record of 1-2 in their last three games, with their last five games averaging only 42.2 points scored and 44.2 points allowed.
On the other hand, the Nicholls Colonels had a mixed record of 5-5 in their last ten games, but they were experiencing a five-game losing streak leading into this contest. Their scoring average was significantly higher at 72.4 points per game, but they also allowed an average of 75.7 points. Their away record was 3-2 in their last five games, which suggested they were more competitive on the road despite their recent struggles.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Key moments included Ronnie Harrison making critical free throws that helped the Colonels maintain their edge in the final minutes. Gianni Hunt also contributed with a crucial three-point jumper, while Jalik Dunkley made important layups and free throws to keep the Lions within striking distance.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have faced challenges this season that could have affected their performance. The absence of key players often plays a significant role in the outcome of such tightly matched games.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Colonels as slight favorites with a spread of -1.5, indicating a competitive matchup. The total for the game was set at 146.5, reflecting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair. The odds for the home moneyline were -130.0, while the away moneyline was set at 110.0, suggesting that the market viewed the Colonels as the more likely victors.
Conditions in The Field House were typical for a basketball game, with no unusual factors reported that would have significantly impacted play. Fans witnessed a game that was characterized by offensive spurts and defensive stands, showcasing the intensity of college basketball.
Viewers should have noted the strategic plays and adjustments made by both coaches, particularly in the second half as the game reached its climax. The Lions fought hard to close the gap, but ultimately fell short, highlighting the importance of execution in critical moments. The Colonels' ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities and maintain composure under pressure proved decisive in their victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ETAM -1.5 | 146.5 o -108 / u -112 | Nicholls Colonels +110 · East Texas A&M Lions -130 |
Leaders
- PointsRonnie Harrison20East Texas A&M Lions
- AssistsGianni Hunt7East Texas A&M Lions
- ReboundsDamian Garcia8East Texas A&M Lions
- PointsJalik Dunkley20Nicholls Colonels
- AssistsZee Hamoda3Nicholls Colonels
- ReboundsJalik Dunkley7Nicholls Colonels
Recent form
East Texas A&M Lions
Last 10: 2-6-2Streak L153.1 scored · 58.3 allowed per game1-2 at home
- L61-82at Lamar CardinalsJan 28
- D0-0at Lamar CardinalsJan 27
- D0-0at Northwestern State DemonsJan 24
- W80-58at Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 19
- L70-81at Houston Christian HuskiesJan 17
- L50-61vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 13
- W77-69vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosJan 10
- L73-83at LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 6
- L58-80at Nicholls ColonelsJan 3
- L62-69vs Lamar CardinalsDec 31
Nicholls Colonels
Last 10: 5-5Streak L572.4 scored · 75.7 allowed per game3-2 away
- L62-80vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 27
- L61-67at SE Louisiana LionsJan 24
- L62-79vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksJan 20
- L80-90vs Lamar CardinalsJan 17
- L68-94at McNeese CowboysJan 13
- W90-77at LSU New Orleans PrivateersJan 10
- W74-72vs Northwestern State DemonsJan 6
- W80-58vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 3
- W71-69at UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosDec 31
- W76-71at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersDec 30
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen F. Austin | 28-6 | - | 20-2 |
| McNeese | 28-6 | 1 | 19-3 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | 19-14 | 6 | 14-8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 18-15 | 7 | 13-9 |
| LSU New Orleans | 15-18 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Nicholls | 14-19 | 8 | 12-10 |
| Houston Christian | 12-20 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Northwestern State | 10-22 | 12 | 8-14 |
| Incarnate Word | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| Lamar | 12-19 | 13 | 7-15 |
| East Texas A&M | 11-21 | 14 | 6-16 |
| SE Louisiana | 9-22 | 14 | 6-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Nicholls Colonels | East Texas A&M Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-52 | 22-59 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 5-18 | 9-29 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 31 |
| Free throws | 17-25 | 15-20 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 24 |
| Assists | 12 | 16 |
| Steals | 7 | 8 |
| Blocks | 7 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 24 |
| Fouls | 14 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 13 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 92 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half42-33Jalin Rice makes 13-foot step back jumpshot (Sincere Malone assists)
- 2nd Half44-33Jalik Dunkley makes layup (Jalin Rice assists)
- 2nd Half44-34Noah Pagotto makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-35Noah Pagotto makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-36Gianni Hunt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-37Gianni Hunt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-40Vinny Sigona makes 23-foot three point jumper (Gianni Hunt assists)
- 2nd Half46-40Jalik Dunkley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-42Ronnie Harrison makes 15-foot jumper (Josh Taylor assists)
- 2nd Half49-42Zee Hamoda makes 25-foot three pointer (Jaylen Searles assists)
- 2nd Half49-44Josh Taylor makes layup (Damian Garcia assists)
- 2nd Half50-44Zee Hamoda makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-44Zee Hamoda makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-44Sincere Malone makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-46Noah Pagotto makes driving layup (Vinny Sigona assists)
- 2nd Half55-46Zee Hamoda makes 3-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half57-46Jalik Dunkley makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half57-49Gianni Hunt makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ronnie Harrison assists)
- 2nd Half57-50Damian Garcia makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-52Josh Taylor makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half59-52Sincere Malone makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-53Noah Pagotto makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-54Noah Pagotto makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-54Jaylen Searles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-57Gianni Hunt makes 24-foot three point jumper (Vinny Sigona assists)
- 2nd Half61-58Ronnie Harrison makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Sincere Malone makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-58Sincere Malone makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-58Jaylen Searles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-58Jaylen Searles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-60Noah Pagotto makes layup (Vinny Sigona assists)
- 2nd Half67-60Jalik Dunkley makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half67-61Ronnie Harrison makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-62Ronnie Harrison makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-65Gianni Hunt makes 26-foot three point jumper (Damian Garcia assists)
- 2nd Half69-65Jalik Dunkley makes layup (Jaylen Searles assists)
- 2nd Half70-65Jalik Dunkley makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-68Ronnie Harrison makes 24-foot three point jumper (Damian Garcia assists)
- 2nd Half71-68Sincere Malone makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-68Sincere Malone makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours East Texas A&M Lions, below favours Nicholls Colonels.
Venue
- The Field HouseCommerce, TX
- Attendance478
- OfficialsRoss Cullins, Trent Dews, Raymond Tate
Elsewhere
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond