Thibodaux, La. — The Sam Houston State men's basketball team fought until the end but could not overcome a double-digit deficit in an 88-82 loss to Nicholls in Southland Conference action at Stopher Gym Saturday afternoon.
 
The Bearkats (15-9 overall, 8-5 in SLC) made a furious rally at the end only to fall short after trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half. SHSU shot 49 percent from the field, and the Colonels (15-9, 9-4) hit 50 percent of its attempts.
 
The difference was Nicholls doubled up the Bearkats by hitting 10 3-pointers.
 
Sophomore Zach Nutall matched his career high with 28 points. Senior Kai Mitchell scored nine points despite fouling put after playing only 11 minutes, and junior RJ Smith and senior Dainan Swoope each chipped in eight points.
 
Sam Houston State got as close as 3 in the second half, but the Colonels caught fire again to prevent a Bearkat rally and led by as many as 17 at 75-58 with 8:25 left in the game.
 
The Bearkats fell behind early, mainly because the Colonels could not miss from behind the arc. Nicholls hit 7 of 16 3-point attempts and led by as many as 13 at 45-32 with less than two minutes left in the game.
 
Nutall, who scored 19 in the first half, helped Sam Houston State close the gap with a 7-0 run to end the period down 45-39. He scored six of those with a pair of free throws and a steal and a layup.
 
Sophomore Dejuan Jones capped the run by hitting a free throw after drawing a foul with four seconds left in the period.
 
The Bearkats hit the road again Wednesday when they travel to Hammond to face Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.