Sports Briefs

Abilene Christian hits from long range to beat NW State
NATCHITOCHES — Harrison Hawkins and Parker Wentz combined for 60 points as Abilene Christian rolled over Northwestern State 95-81 in Southland Conference action Tuesday night.
Abilene Christian nailed 16 of 27 from beyond the arc, nearly half of the Wildcats’ 34 of 59 field goal attempts. Hawkins totaled a career-high 31 points, making 5 of 10 from long range, and Wentz scored 29, making 7 of 9 3-point attempts.
LaDarrien Williams added 20 for ACU (9-7, 3-0).
ACU has won five of its last six games and is above the .500 mark this late in the season for the first time since the 2007-08 team finished with a 20-9 record.
Northwestern stayed close until Williams and Wentz nailed back-to-back 3s to start the second half. That led to 67-52 advantage with 12:40 left.
Jalan West had 30 points, Tony Dobbinson added 21 and Zeek Woodley had 19 for Northwestern State (7-8, 2-2).

Thomas leads Nicholls to 61-57 win over Houston Baptist
THIBODAUX — Freshman Quinton Thomas blocked a shot, stole the ball and made a free throw after being fouled with 3 seconds left to give Nicholls a 61-57 victory over Houston Baptist on Tuesday night.
Thomas who finished with a career-high 18 points, hit a jumper with 40 seconds left for a 60-57 lead.
HBU’s Anthony Odunsi got his own rebound off a missed free throw and went up for a shot with 14 seconds remaining. Thomas blocked it, grabbed the ball and was fouled.
Nicholls (4-9, 1-2 Southland Conference), which had struggled in the second half in its previous two conference games, fell behind in this one, but charged back for the win. The Huskies were up 57-52 with 4:35 left. Nicholls scored the final seven points for the win.
Sam McBeath had 11 points for Nicholls.
Colter Lasher had 14 points and Odunsi chipped in 13 for Houston Baptist (6-8, 1-3).
From The Associated Press