Jan. 29, 2005

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Texas State's Brad Brickens scored a career-high 22 points and Anthony Dill registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Bobcats defeated Nicholls State 97-79 in Stopher Gymnasium Saturday.

With the win, Texas State improved to 10-9 while running its Southland Conference record to 4-4 heading into next Saturday's game with Texas-Arlington. Nicholls State fell to 6-13 and 1-7.

The Bobcats used a 12-2 run in the second half to break open what was a 60-60 tie. Markee White started the rally with a fast break layin and also made two free throws during the stretch. Lance Burrough's jumper at 9:48 gave the `Cats a 72-62 lead. Nicholls State would not get any closer than eight from that point.

White finished with 13 points while Josh Naylor scored 12 points and had three assists in the win.

As a team, Texas State shot 63 percent from the field and made 8-of-12 three-pointers. The Bobcats also outrebounded Nicholls State by 19 boards.

Nicholls' Stefan Blaszczynski scored 27 points, including 4-of-5 three-pointers, to lead all scorers.

Texas State led by as many as 16 points in the first half as Matt Canady drove inside for a layin to put the Bobcats up 41-25 with 4:49 to play in the period. But the Colonels answered with an 18-2 run to tie the game at 43-43 with 1:02 to play. During Nicholls' run, Blaszczynski had a fast break jumper, a steal which led to another pullup basket and also hit a three-pointer.

The Bobcats would lead 47-43 at the break as Andre Oupoh made a pair of baskets in the final minute of the half.