COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – In a game with 15 lead changes, the Southwestern University Pirates surrendered a 9-3 run over the final four minutes in a 71-66 loss to the Colorado College Tigers in the conference opener.
Lauren Fulenwider found Taylor Carney for an open 3-pointer to give the Pirates a 63-62 lead with 4:32 remaining. The Pirates struggled with shooting and execution down the stretch, however, shooting just 1-for-6 with a Fulenwider 3-pointer while committing three turnovers after Carney's shot.
Colorado College's Jordan Meltzer took over from there, knocking down a pair of 15-foot jumpers and hitting three free throws to score seven of her 20 points over the final four minutes.
The Pirates started strong with first year guards Fulenwider and Emma Lewis each hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter to space the floor for Cecily Woolfolk, who converted on all three of her shot attempts to lead the Pirates to an 18-15 lead after the first 10 minutes.
Meltzer broke free for eight points on five shots in the second quarter, hitting both of her 3-point attempts to give Colorado College a 36-33 lead at the half.
After the Pirates cut one point into the deficit in the third quarter, Noel Pratts was electric in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of her game-high 21 points, making all four of her shot attempts. Southwestern committed five of its 11 turnovers in the quarter, however, giving Colorado College a 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers for the game.
Pratts scored her 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting, grabbing four rebounds with a steal, block, and assist. Woolfolk had another double-double with 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting with 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block. Fulenwider had nine points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
Four of Colorado College's five starters reached double figures, led by Meltzer's 20. McKenzee Gertz had 17 points and eight rebounds, Izzy Hensley had 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, and Anna Faneli had 10 points and eight assists.
With the loss, the Pirates drop to 2-6 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. Southwestern will wrap up its road trip in Denver tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against Johnson & Wales University.