Box Score Colorado College extended its winning streak to six games and maintained its half-game lead over Texas Lutheran University atop the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference standings with a nerve-wracking 61-58 victory at Austin College on Saturday night.

Sophomore forward John Hatch and senior forward James Lonergan scored 14 points apiece to help the Tigers improve to 10-6 overall and 6-0 in the SCAC.

Hatch also recorded game highs with nine rebounds and a career-best five blocked shots. Lonergan added eight boards, including five on the offensive glass.

Colorado College appeared to be in control after senior guard Justin Berardino sank a pair of free throws to give the visitors a 32-16 lead with 4:15 remaining in the first half.

The 'Roos answered with a 12-3 surge and pulled to within seven points when Josh Dickerman connected on his second three-pointer of the contest with 46 seconds to go before the break.

A layup by sophomore guard Ryan Young gave the Tigers a 37-28 lead after 20 minutes, but Alan Sullivan drained back-to-back three-pointers to ignite a 15-2 run that turned Austin's nine-point deficit into a four-point cushion.

CC took a 47-45 lead after Lonergan completed a three-point play with 9:46 remaining, and after the 'Roos tied the score on their next two possessions, Hatch put the Tigers ahead when he connected from behind the arc with 8:20 to go.

Austin tied the game for the final time on a Cedric Hudson layup with 5:21 on the clock, but layups by Hatch and Lonergan gave Colorado College a four-point edge with 3:50 to play.

The 'Roos pulled to within 59-58 with 17 seconds remaining, but free throws by Reed Nakakihara gave the Tigers a three-point cushion. The hosts had one final chance to tie the game, but Brian Baehl's three-pointer was off the mark as time expired.  

Sullivan led the' Roos with a game-high 19 points, while Baehl finished with 15 points and seven assists.

Austin dropped to 10-5 overall and 0-5 in league play.

First place in the SCAC will be on the line next Friday when Colorado College visits TLU.