Box Score Becky Luetjen posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds for Colorado College, but Johnson and Wales sank 24 of 37 free throws to sneak out of the Wildcat Center with a 77-74 victory in the Tigers' season opener on Tuesday night.

CC overcame an 11-point deficit to take a 66-63 lead with 7:13 to play, but the Tigers managed just four points during the final 4:44 to let Johnson & Wales take the lead.

Jordy Stephenson was one of four Tigers who reached double figures with 14 points, but her desperation three-point attempt was off the mark as time expired.

Shelby Hanssen, who scored 15 points in her collegiate debut,  gave CC a 40-39 lead 3:10 into the second half, but JWU went on an 18-6 run to build an 11-point advantage when Caitlin Durkin knocked down a three pointer with 13:14 to play.

Durkin led all scorers with 26 points, making eight of 14 shots from the floor and eight of 10 from the charity stripe.

After Luetjen tied the game at 25-25 with 3:39 remaining in the first half, the Wildcats used a 9-4 run to build a five-point lead after 20 minutes.

Colorado College built a 46-37 advantage on the glass, but went only 3-for-20 from behind the three-point line.

The Tigers, who made seven of 15 free throws, get a chance to avenge the loss on Dec. 13 when the Wildcats (6-1) visit Reid Gymnasium.

CC returns to action on Saturday when it plays host to Elmhurst College on the first day of the 2011 Colorado College Tip-Off Classic.