CONWAY, Ark. -- Roddy Peters drove for a layup and later slammed home a dunk in the final seconds to help Nicholls win its fifth straight game, beating Central Arkansas 87-83 on Saturday to keep the Colonels perched atop the Southland Conference standings.

Nicholls (18-9, 12-2) was trailing 81-80 when Peters, who finished with 30 points, took a feed from Kimani Jackson for a layup to give the Colonels the lead for good with 53 seconds remaining. Peters added two free throws for an 84-81 advantage and then made the dunk with 18 seconds left to secure the win.

Peters, who made 14 of 16 free throws, also grabbed eight rebounds while dishing out seven assists. Jahvaughn Powell added 19 points, nailing 5 of 10 from long range, and Tevon Saddler contributed 14 points with five rebounds and five assists.

The Colonels broke free from a 44-44 tie at the break to pull ahead 70-61 at the 9:50 mark. The Bears continued the chase until they took their only lead in the second half, 81-80, following Jordan Howard's jumper with 1:48 left.

Howard was 19 of 19 from the free throw line for 37 points for Central Arkansas (13-14, 7-7).