BOSTON, Mass. (1/21/2026) - Despite narrowing a second half double-digit disadvantage to under 10 points late, the Nichols College Men's Basketball team shouldered a 73-65 loss at Suffolk University in conference play on Tuesday night at Smith Court.

The loss is the second out of the last three games for the Bison, who now sit at 10-8 (5-4 CNE) on the campaign. Suffolk, with the win, improves to 10-7 (6-2 CNE).

Javen Flowers-Smith and Olivier St. Louis each posted a team-high 13 points for the Bison, with St. Louis also leading the way in boards with eight on the night, and Flowers-Smith adding in five steals and a block. Graduate student Dominic Mello also scored in double figures, notching 10 points with three assists. Combined, the Bison finished 22-of-70 (31.4%) from the field but were severely limited from three-point range, hitting 4-of-27 (14.8%) of their attempts.

The Rams immediately put the Bison in a bind early in the game with a 9-0 run to open the action, ultimately furthering that lead to as many as 15 points at 23-8 with 11:18 left in the half. In an effort to shift the momentum, Noah Rudman would land a three 12 seconds later, followed by an Ethan Minarik layup to bring the difference back down to 10. However, Suffolk would not let up over the next several possessions, matching the Bison point-for-point to remain ahead by double figures. The Bison would not see much relief until the tail end of the half, where they used an 8-2 run to close the gap to seven points at 36-29, with baskets from Mello, St. Louis, and Anthony Zingarella sending them to the locker room with a comeback in sight.  

An early Minarik layup in the opening minute of the second half gave Nichols a boost out of the break, but the Rams soon returned to their scoring ways with another 9-0 run in response, once again extending their lead to double digits at 49-35. Down the stretch, the Rams would see that lead restored to 15 points on two occasions, with the hosts finding balanced success from three-point range in the half with five makes in total. With time running out, the Bison would give it one last shot late in the half with an 8-0 run, but would fall short of catching the Rams in the eventual 73-65 loss.

Nichols is back home this Saturday for a CNE matchup against the University of New England (8-8, 4-3 CNE), beginning at 3:00 PM at the Nichols Athletic Center.