Melquan Bolding scored 25 points and Damian Saunders grabbed 19 rebounds as Duquesne defeated Nicholls State 85-62 in the season opener for both teams Friday night. Nicholls State, which was led by 23 points from Anatoly Bose, overcame a 10-point deficit to take a 36-33 halftime lead. But a 21-7 second-half run by the Dukes gave them a 62-48 lead with 7:27 left and spoiled the Colonels' hopes for an upset. Nicholls State committed 10 fouls in the first 12 minutes. The Dukes made 9 of 13 free throws in the first half while shooting 50 percent for the game. Trailing 25-15 with 7:47 left in the first half, Nicholls State went on a 21-8 run over the next 7 minutes. The Colonels produced four steals and took advantage of 12 turnovers in the first half to reclaim the lead for the first time since the opening points of the contest.
