THIBODAUX, La. – Arthur Haralson scored 26 points and three other Nicholls State players finished with double figures in scoring as the Colonels withstood a furious rally by Troy State down the stretch on Saturday to earn an 81-77 win in men’s basketball action.

Chris Bacon added 19 points and 12 rebounds and Marlon Green 16 for the Colonels (2-3), who shot 52 percent from the floor at Stopher Gymnasium but never could find a way to put the Trojans (1-5) away for good. Nicholls State led by 19 points in the first half and again by double digits twice in the second half. Troy State sliced its deficit to two, 79-77 with eight seconds remaining, but couldn’t pull out the win.

The Trojans shot 45 percent from the floor and 48 percent from 3-point range for the game and were led in scoring by Rob Lewin’s 19 points – a career high. The freshman hit 8-of-13 shots from the floor in 29 minutes off the bench. Donnie Pemberton added 12, Robert Rushing 11 and Herbert Evans 10 for Troy State, which trailed 43-38 at halftime.

"I was extremely proud of Rob Lewin tonight and the effort he gave," Troy State coach Don Maestri said. "It was a great comeback that fell just a little bit short. Right now we just need to keep working hard, and eventually those shots that we are missing will start to fall for us."

Junior Eddie Morris finished with six points and an assist in 18 minutes for the Trojans before fouling out in his first game of the season.

Troy State returns to action next Saturday at home when the Trojans play host to Reinhardt College at Trojan Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.