Preview: Nicholls State Colonels at Texas A&M-Commerce Lions

COMMERCE, Texas (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference men’s basketball teams with identical records and recent struggles will meet Saturday when the Nicholls State Colonels visit the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions.

The game is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026, at the Texas A&M-Commerce Field House.

Both teams enter with 8-13 overall records and are seeking momentum in the second half of the conference schedule. The matchup is a quick rematch of a game played less than a month ago, where Nicholls State dominated in an 80-58 home victory on Jan. 3.

Nicholls State has lost four straight since that win, including an 80-62 home loss to New Orleans on Tuesday. A key player for the Colonels is Zee Hamoda, who scored 19 points in that defeat. Hamoda has been inconsistent but explosive at times, dropping 20 points in a win at New Orleans on Jan. 10.

Texas A&M-Commerce has also faced difficulties, coming off an 82-61 road loss to Lamar on Tuesday. The Lions are led by Damian Garcia, who averages steady production. Garcia posted 17 points in a road win at Incarnate Word on Jan. 19 and had 19 points against Houston Christian two days prior.

In the Jan. 3 meeting, Nicholls State controlled the game from the start, holding Garcia to 7 points in 22 minutes. The Colonels will look to replicate that defensive effort on the road.

For Texas A&M-Commerce, protecting home court and avenging the earlier 22-point loss will be the primary focus. Both teams sit in the bottom half of the Southland standings and view this as a critical opportunity to halt their slides.

The Lions’ next game is Monday at home against New Orleans. The Colonels continue their road trip Monday at Northwestern State.