Nicholls knocks off New Orleans 81-64

NEW ORLEANS -- Roddy Peters scored 27 points to lead Nicholls to an 81-64 win over New Orleans on Saturday and into a first place tie atop the Southland Conference.

Kimani Jackson added 15 points and eight rebounds, Jahvaughn Powell had 14 points and Tevon Saddler scored 12 for Nicholls, which shot 53 percent. Peters was 10 for 19 from the field, dished out six assists and had three steals.

Nicholls (14-9, 8-2) dominated inside during the first half, outscoring New Orleans 20-10 in the paint to take a 35-23 advantage into the break. The Colonels opened the second half with a 20-9 run that included 3-pointers from Peters, Sadler and Powell to snap New Orleans' four-game win streak.

New Orleans (12-11, 9-3) got 22 points from Bryson Robinson and Travin Thibodeaux had 20. The loss knocked the Privateers out of sole possession of first place.