THIBODAUX, La. (Interstat) — Two men’s college basketball teams seeking to halt slides and climb the Southland Conference standings will meet Tuesday when the Nicholls State Colonels host the New Orleans Privateers. Both teams enter with identical 2-5 records in league play and are looking to rebound from road losses this past Saturday. New Orleans (8-13) fell 82-63 at McNeese State, while Nicholls State (8-12) dropped a 67-61 decision at Southeastern Louisiana. The matchup features a compelling rematch from just over two weeks ago, when the Colonels dominated the Privateers 90-77 in New Orleans on Jan. 10. In that game, Nicholls State shot 54% from the field and built a 20-point second-half lead. A key focus for the Privateers will be containing Nicholls State guard Sincere Malone, who is coming off a 40-minute, 19-point performance against Southeastern Louisiana. Malone averages 12.3 points per game and has been a steady facilitator for the Colonels’ offense. However, New Orleans will counter with one of the conference’s hottest scorers in guard Coleton Benson. The sophomore is averaging 22.4 points over his last five games, including a 30-point outing against Southeastern Louisiana and 26 points in the first meeting with Nicholls State. Benson is coming off a 23-point effort in the loss to McNeese State. For Nicholls State, consistency has been elusive. After the win in New Orleans, the Colonels have lost four straight, though three were by single digits. They will rely on Malone and supporting scorers like Jalik Dunkley and Jaylen Searles to reignite their offense at home. The Privateers have struggled defensively, allowing 80.2 points per game during their current 1-3 stretch. Slowing Malone and improving their perimeter defense will be critical if they hope to avenge their earlier loss and split the season series. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST at Stopher Gymnasium. The game continues a pivotal stretch for both teams as they navigate the middle of the conference schedule.