HAMMOND, La. (AP) Onochie Ochie had 13 points and seven rebounds on Saturday to lead Southeast Louisiana over Nicholls State 71-66.
Ochie made back-to-back baskets to extend SE Louisiana's lead to 52-47 lead with 8:27 left. The Lions (11-13, 6-7 Southland Conference) made only one field goal the rest of the way but connected on 15 of its last 18 free throw attempts to hang on for the win.
Dre Evans and JaMichael Hawkins each scored 12, and Julian Chiera 11.
Nicholls State (10-12, 7-6) fought back as Sam McBeath made two 3s in the final minute to pull the Colonels within 68-66 with 9 seconds left. But Evans made 3 of 4 free throws from there and SE Louisiana held on for the win.
Jeremy Smith had 16 points and Dantrell Thomas had 15 to lead Nicholls State.
