COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Lauren Fulenwider led a furious Southwestern comeback in the fourth quarter, cutting a 17-point deficit to two, but the Pirates fell short on the road against the Colorado College Tigers, losing 80-76.
Southwestern got itself into foul trouble early when Noel Pratts picked up two in the first quarter. The Pirate defense limited the Tigers to just 4-for-12 (33.3 percent) shooting in the quarter but sent them to the line for 10 attempts. The Tigers connected on seven and took a 16-12 lead into the second quarter.
The Pirates struggled offensively through the first half, shooting just 11-for-35 (31.4 percent) to trail 36-28 at the break. Anna Fanelli carried Colorado College early, scoring nine first-half points, while Mckenzee Gertz added eight. The Tigers finished the half with more made free throws (13) than field goals (10).
Fulenwider found her rhythm in the third quarter, scoring eight points on 3-for-6 shooting, hitting half of her four 3-point attempts. Still, Colorado College buried Southwestern with ball movement faster than Fulenwider could bury shots. The Tigers shot a blistering 12-for-19 (63.2 percent), including 4-for-9 (44.4 percent) from deep.
Colorado College assisted on nine of its 12 made field goals in the third quarter, led by Fanelli's four assists, finding Gertz twice in the final 30 seconds for a layup and 3-pointer to take a 65-48 lead heading into the fourth.
Emma Lewis opened the fourth with a 3-pointer on a pass from Noel Pratts to spark a 10-0 run for the Pirates. Emboldened, the Pirates began moving the ball to great effect, assisting seven of their 11 made field goals in the quarter.
Fulenwider caught fire again, hitting four 3-pointers on eight attempts to score 12 points in the fourth, including two 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds to pull the Pirates within one. Gertz and Fanelli put the game away with three free throws, and Southwestern turned it over on its final possession.
Three Pirates scored in double figures, led by Fulenwider's 25 points, shooting 7-for-18 from deep. Erin Toro added 10 points on 5-for-10 shooting with seven rebounds, a steal, and an assist. Emma Lewis led all bench scorers with 12, shooting 4-for-9 from the field, all on 3-point attempts.
Four of the Tigers' five starters scored in double figures, led by Gertz's 20 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the free-throw line and grabbing nine rebounds, three steals, and assists. Fanelli had a 16-point, 10-assist double-double. Tedy Reed had 15 points, and Rosie Braley added 10.
Southwestern drops to 1-5 on the season and will return home to host Texas Lutheran University on Friday, Feb. 5 at 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1:00 p.m.