GEORGETOWN, Texas - Southwestern shot just 28% from the field in the game and 15.8% from three-point range as they fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in their home opener on Friday night. The loss drops the Pirates to 0-2 on the year.
Southwestern scored their first field goal of the game at the 12:30 minute mark of the first half as the Stags continued to apply suffocating defensive pressure while mounting a 17 point lead, 24-7, at the midway point of the first half.
The Pirates were able to hang near CMS from the free throw line, going 8-12 while struggling from the field with an 18.2 field goal percentage in the first half. The Stags took a 25 point lead, 42-17, into the break after shooting 68% from the field and 57.1% from three point range.
A rejuvenated Pirate squad took the court for the second half and opened on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 18, 46-28.
Southwestern hung with CMS the rest of the way, out-scoring the Stags 34-24 in the second half, but wasn't able to overcome the deficit as they fell 66-51.
The Pirates forced CMS into 18 turnovers, recording 10 steals on the night while committing just 14 turnovers. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps dominated the boards, however, claiming a +23 rebounding margin.
CMS's Chris Blees was the only player in double figures with 16 points while Logan Hurley led for Southwestern with nine points and Nick Atiee (pictured) pulled down a game-high six boards.
The Pirates remain at home for the final day of the Southwestern Classic to face Schreiner University on Saturday at 4pm.