LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Fred Hunter scored 23 points and Nicholls State defeated McNeese State 56-45 on Wednesday night.
Hunter single-handedly outscored McNeese State with 12 straight points in the opening 10 minutes of action to put the Colonels (11-8, 4-2 Southland Conference) ahead 14-9 and 26-17 at halftime.
McNeese State (7-11, 1-4) cut the lead to 35-33 with 12 minutes to play, but could get no closer despite making 15 of 19 free throws.
Hunter was 8-for-12 from the field and 7-for-10 from the free-throw line. He also had a season-high five steals.
Ryan Bathie added 12 points for the Colonels.
No Cowboys scored in double figures as John Pichon, Patrick Richard and Elbryan Neal had seven points apiece.
The Cowboys, who led the Southland Conference in rebounds, were outrebounded 27-25 by the Colonels, including 7-4 on the offensive boards.