THIBODAUX, La. -- T.J. Carpenter had 15 points and seven rebounds and Nicholls State held on down the stretch to beat New Orleans 80-76 on Monday night to snap a four-game skid.

New Orleans led 39-34 at halftime and extended it to 49-40 on a Cameron Reed's 3-pointer early in the second. Nicholls State (8-22, 4-12 Southland) battled back with a 17-7 run to take a 57-56 lead on K.C. Caudill's 3-point play with 10:31 to go.

The game was back-and-forth the rest of the way, but the Colonels grabbed the lead for good on a Quinton Thomas 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining. A Kevin Hill layup for New Orleans (9-18, 5-11) cut it to 77-76 in the final minute, but Nicholls State hit 3 of 4 at the line to seal it.

Ja'Dante' Frye finished with 13 points for the Colonels and Schane Rillieux added 12.

Christavious Gill led New Orleans with 19 points.