ABILENE, Texas– Freshman DQ Nicholas scored a game-high 21 points and made a perfect 14-of-14 free throws as Southeast Missouri (3-5) dropped a 73-64 road contest to Abilene Christian (3-5) Thursday night.
 
Nicholas scored 16 of his points in the second half, including 14 at the charity stripe. His 14 free throws fell four short of tying SEMO's single-game record.
 
Both teams struggled to score the basketball in the first half shooting no better than 37.1 percent from the field.
 
ACU used a 14-2 run to build a 22-9 lead which was capped by a pair of free throws by Kolton Kohl with 11:16 remaining.
 
Skyler Hogan rebounded his own missed layup and scored to narrow the Wildcats lead to seven (24-17) with 5:24 to go before ACU took a 33-23 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
 
Hogan, who had seven of SEMO's first nine points of the game, led all scorers with nine at the intermission.
 
The 23 points marked the Redhawks fewest in a first half through eight contests this year. 
 
ACU heated up to make eight of its first 12 field goals and at one time made six straight field goals to increase its lead to 50-31 with 14:42 left to play.
 
SEMO closed the Wildcats lead to single digits on six occasions in the final five minutes, but couldn't get within fewer than eight points.
 
Nicholas posted his second 20-point game of the season shooting 3-of-5 from the field to go along with his flawless performance at the free throw line.
 
Sage Tolbert narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Hogan was SEMO's other starter in double figures with 11 points.
 
As a team, the Redhawks made 24-of-28 free throws for 85.7 percent.
 
ACU outscored the Redhawks, 36-24, inside the paint and scored 17 points off turnovers. 
 
Joe Pleasant led the Wildcats with 18 points and eight boards.
 
SEMO returns to action at Missouri Valley Conference member Drake Saturday.