GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern shot below 35% from the field and three point range, falling 71-64 to Colorado College on Friday night.

Rebounds and Chris Lesnansky hurt the Pirates early as they trailed 16 -7 on the boards while allowing 13 points to Lesnansky in the opening 12 minutes as SU trailed 19-13.

The saving grace for the Pirates was their perimeter shooting as they drained their fourth three of the game with six and a half to play to pull even 19-19.

Free throws let SU take the lead and, like the winter flu, Southwestern's three point shooting was contagious as the Pirates extended their lead to eight, 31-23 with 2:21 to play.

The Pirate bench was exceptional in the first half, accounting for 21 of SU's 31 points including 10 from Jake Schifani. Southwestern was just 34.6% from the floor, making only three non-three point field goals in the frame, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc. Colorado College didn't hit a shot past 15 feet all half, allowing Southwestern to take a four point lead, 31-27, into the break despite 19 points from Lesnansky.

Southwestern was slow to start the second half and allowed the Tigers back in the game. Justin Berardino got hot from three point, draining four in the first seven minutes to give CC a slight lead 47-45.

As the second half continued neither team was able to pull away, setting up the frenzied finish. With 1:46 on the clock SU trailed by two, 63-61. Southwestern went on lock down on the ensuing Tiger possession and forced a big stop, giving them the opportunity they needed to even the game. A long rebound on Cantu's baseline jumper fell to Ryan Milne who heaved the ball down court to James Lonergan streaking to the hoop to put Colorado up four, 65-61 with 30 seconds remaining.

Southwestern couldn't get the ball to drop as CC took care of business from the free throw line, going 6-6 in the final minute to close out the game.

SU shot 34.5% from the floor and 33.3% from three point range while Colorado was tough offensively in the second half at 52.6% and 50% from three point to end the game shooting 43.5% from the floor and 40% from long range.

Eric Garza led Southwestern with 12 points while Schifani ended with 10. Lesnansky posted 26 points to lead all scorers.

Southwestern falls to 5-13 on the year after the loss and 2-6 in the SCAC while Colorado improves to 13-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The Pirates look to avenge last week's loss to the University of Dallas on Saturday, facing the Crusaders at 4 p.m.