RUSTON, La. -- Raheem Appleby scored 20 points, Xavian Stapleton added 18, including five 3-pointers, and Louisiana Tech beat Nicholls State 79-54 on Thursday.

Kenneth Smith had eight assists and Joniah White had three blocks for the Bulldogs (8-3), who shot 15 of 30 from distance but were outrebounded 49-26.

Louisiana Tech never trailed and led 42-28 at halftime. Appleby scored 15 in the half, including three 3-pointers, and the Bulldogs outrebounded the Colonels 23-11.

Stapleton hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Louisiana Tech up 55-36 in the second half, and the Bulldogs pulled away, leading by as many as 25.

T.J. Carpenter scored 17 for Nicholls State (2-6) and Sam McBeath added 12 and grabbed 11 rebounds.

With the win Nicholls State snaps a two-game losing streak and extends their home winning streak to 20 games.