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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- Free throws were the difference as Southwestern dropped their conference opener Friday night 58-55 to Colorado College. The Tigers had 10 more free throw attempts and made seven more free throws.
Colorado College took control of the game early, mounting an 11 point lead, 26-15 with 5:39 to go in the first half. Southwestern turned on the after-burners and closed the half on a 14-5 run to go into the locker room down two, 31-29.
The Tigers remained ahead through the first eight minutes of the second half, but the Pirates drained four three pointers in their next five possessions to lead by six, 48-42 with nine minutes to go.
Colorado clawed their way back in the game, tying it for the fourth time with one minute to play 54-54. After trading free throws Colorado had possession with 11 seconds to go and called a timeout to set up their strategy for the game winner. Needing to go the length of the floor CC did just that and got a three to fall from Jake Tramutolo with just three ticks remaining on the clock, not enough time for a response from SU.
Southwestern led in almost every category, shooting 40.8% from the floor, 45.8% from three point range and 66.7% from the free throw line. SU was +12 in rebounds but committed 14 turnovers while forcing CC into just four.
Three Pirates were in double digits in the contest led by Logan Hurley's double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Adrian Johnson added in 12 while Michael Cantu chipped in 11. CC's Jeremiah Waters led all scorers with 15 points.
Southwestern falls to 0-7 on the year and 0-1 in the SCAC. They remain in search of their first win as they head to Conway, Ark. to face Hendrix College on Sunday.