THIBODAUX, La. -- Jeremiah Jefferson scored 28 points and Gavin Peppers added another 20 as Nicholls State cruised past Mississippi College, 86-58 in the season opener on Tuesday night.

The Colonels made Austin Claunch a winner in his head coaching debut.

Nicholls State scored the first 13 points of the game to grab the lead, then outscored the Choctaws 51-23 in the second half to put the game away.

Mississippi College recovered from the slow start to get within one after Brandon Boston knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in a 12-3 run that cut the lead to 25-24.

Jefferson finished 11 of 16 from the field, hitting 3 of 7 from distance, and grabbing four steals to lead Nicholls. Peppers hit 7 of 11 from the field, including 4 of 6 from deep, and pulled down eight rebounds.

Boston and Tre Jenkins led Mississippi College with 13 points apiece.