Huskies Edge Colonels in Close Contest
Monday, February 16, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Sharp Gymnasium
Houston Christian Huskies 72, Nicholls Colonels 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 Houston Christian Huskies?
Houston Christian Huskies beat Nicholls Colonels 72-68 at Sharp Gymnasium on February 16, 2026.
Who was favored in Nicholls Colonels vs Houston Christian Huskies?
Houston Christian Huskies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -122 (about 55% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Houston Christian Huskies narrowly defeated the Nicholls Colonels with a final score of 72-68 at Sharp Gymnasium. This victory marks a significant moment for the Huskies, who had previously struggled against the Colonels, losing their last two meetings.
The Huskies entered the game with a record of 10-17, while the Colonels had an 11-16 record. Houston Christian's recent form showed a mixed bag, with a 4-6 record over their last ten games, and they were on a one-game winning streak following a close victory against the LSU New Orleans Privateers, where they won 61-60. Their average scoring during this stretch was 65.6 points per game, while they allowed an average of 69.2 points. Notably, the Huskies had a strong home record of 4-1 in their last five games, contrasting sharply with their away record of 0-5.
On the other hand, Nicholls had a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and was also on a one-game winning streak, having recently defeated the Incarnate Word Cardinals 91-83. The Colonels averaged 70.5 points scored and allowed an average of 79.4 points during this stretch. Their away record was 3-2, indicating they had been more successful on the road compared to their home games, where they struggled with a 0-5 record.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Huskies had not fared well against the Colonels, losing both of their previous encounters in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The most recent loss came on December 18, 2025, where they fell 64-79. This history added an extra layer of significance to the game for Houston Christian as they sought to turn the tide.
The game was closely fought throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. Key moments included scoring plays from Trae English and Ryan Bartley, who made crucial shots in the second half. The Huskies managed to maintain their composure in the closing minutes, with D'Aundre Samuels contributing with free throws that helped secure their lead. Kylin Green also made important contributions from the free-throw line, sealing the victory for Houston Christian.
The betting market had the Huskies favored by 1.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 136.5. The odds reflected a competitive matchup, and the outcome was indeed a close one, aligning with the expectations set by the market.
Conditions at Sharp Gymnasium were conducive to a good game, and the atmosphere was charged as both teams battled for a crucial win. Fans witnessed a display of resilience from the Huskies, who, despite their struggles earlier in the season, managed to rise to the occasion against a familiar rival.
As the game concluded, the Huskies celebrated their hard-fought victory, while the Colonels were left to reflect on a missed opportunity to extend their winning streak. The significance of this win for Houston Christian could be pivotal as they move forward in the season, looking to build on this momentum.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HCU -1.5 | 136.5 o -115 / u -105 | Nicholls Colonels +102 · Houston Christian Huskies -122 |
Leaders
- PointsMambourou Mara15Houston Christian Huskies
- AssistsKylin Green6Houston Christian Huskies
- ReboundsMambourou Mara13Houston Christian Huskies
- PointsTrae English17Nicholls Colonels
- AssistsTrae English6Nicholls Colonels
- ReboundsJalik Dunkley10Nicholls Colonels
Recent form
Houston Christian Huskies
Last 10: 4-6Streak W165.6 scored · 69.2 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W61-60vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersFeb 14
- L69-73at McNeese CowboysFeb 10
- L47-55at SE Louisiana LionsFeb 7
- L57-74at UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFeb 3
- L71-73at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersJan 31
- W81-75vs Incarnate Word CardinalsJan 28
- L51-68vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosJan 24
- W82-80vs Northwestern State DemonsJan 20
- W81-70vs East Texas A&M LionsJan 17
- L56-64at Lamar CardinalsJan 13
Nicholls Colonels
Last 10: 3-7Streak W170.5 scored · 79.4 allowed per game3-2 away
- W91-83at Incarnate Word CardinalsFeb 14
- L72-92vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFeb 10
- L76-83vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersFeb 7
- W61-58at Northwestern State DemonsFeb 3
- W72-68at East Texas A&M LionsJan 31
- 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
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 | Houston Christian Huskies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-55 | 25-56 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 5-18 | 3-14 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 21 |
| Free throws | 17-24 | 19-26 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 29 |
| Assists | 12 | 14 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 4 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 9 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 40 |
| Fouls | 23 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 16 | 77 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half33-39Jaylen Searles makes layup
- 2nd Half33-41Demarco Bethea makes layup (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half33-43Ryan Bartley makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half35-43Jalik Dunkley makes driving layup (Trae English assists)
- 2nd Half35-46D'Aundre Samuels makes 25-foot three point jumper (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half35-48Ryan Bartley makes 5-foot floating jump shot (Kylin Green assists)
- 2nd Half37-48Trae English makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half37-50Ryan Bartley makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half37-51Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-51Sincere Malone makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-51Jaylen Searles makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sincere Malone assists)
- 2nd Half45-51Jaylen Searles makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sincere Malone assists)
- 2nd Half46-51Jaylen Searles makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half47-51Jaylen Searles makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half49-51Trae English makes layup
- 2nd Half52-51Zee Hamoda makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trae English assists)
- 2nd Half52-52Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-53Nick Krass makes 24-foot three point jumper (Zee Hamoda assists)
- 2nd Half56-53Jaylen Searles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-53Jaylen Searles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Demarco Bethea makes layup
- 2nd Half58-55Sincere Malone makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Sincere Malone makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-58Ryan Bartley makes 25-foot three point jumper (Trent Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half61-58Jaylen Searles makes 18-foot jumper
- 2nd Half61-60Mambourou Mara makes 2-foot dunk (D'Aundre Samuels assists)
- 2nd Half61-62Kylin Green makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-63Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half61-64Mambourou Mara makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-64Christian Winborne makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-66D'Aundre Samuels makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half64-66Trae English makes layup
- 2nd Half64-68Ryan Bartley makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half66-68Trae English makes 13-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half66-69D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-70D'Aundre Samuels makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-70Zee Hamoda makes 21-foot jumper
- 2nd Half68-71Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-72Kylin Green makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Christian Huskies, below favours Nicholls Colonels.
Venue
- Sharp GymnasiumHouston, TX
- Attendance901
- OfficialsRodrick Dixon, James Ford, Jon Pierre
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- 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