Southeastern Louisiana beats Nicholls State 50-43

HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Brandon Fortenberry scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half as Southeastern Louisiana pulled away to beat Nicholls State 50-43 Saturday in both teams’ regular-season finale.

After the Lions (15-13, 9-7 Southland Conference) took a 25-24 lead early in the second half on two free throws by DeShawn Patterson, neither team scored for the next 4:33.

A layup by Fortenberry ended the drought and started Southeastern Louisiana on a 14-3 run over the next 4:26 for a 39-27 lead with 10:12 remaining.

The Colonels (14-13, 8-8) whittled the lead to 41-38 at the 5:28 mark, but a jumper by Fortenberry and a layup by Gary Dixon made it 45-38 with 3:54 left.

The Lions secured a berth in the eight-team Southland Conference tournament that starts Wednesday in Katy, Texas.

Anatoly Bose scored 15 points to lead Nicholls State, whose prospects hinged on the outcome of other games.