Box Score Friday's showdown between Colorado College and Texas Lutheran for first place in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference lived up to the hype. Unfortunately, the Tigers came up two points short in their quest to remain atop the league standings.

Jordan Kouremetis went 6-for-9 from three-point range and finished with a game-high 25 points as the Bulldogs held on for an 81-79 victory on their home court at Memorial Gymnasium.

TLU, which improved to 14-3 overall and 6-0 in the SCAC, holds a half-game lead over the Tigers, who are 11-7 overall and 6-1 in league play.

CC nearly erased an eight-point deficit during the final 2:23, but time ran out after James Lonergan closed out the scoring on a layup with three seconds to go. The senior forward posted the second double-double of his career with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and also dished out five assists.

The Tigers led for the final time at 68-67 when sophomore forward Andrew Maddock recorded two of his team-leading 20 points on a layup with 6:43 to play.

Zach Behr scored five of his eight points to fuel a pivotal 10-2 surge that gave Texas Lutheran a 79-71 lead with 3:34 to play.  

Kouremetis scored 15 points during the first half to help the Bulldogs build a 42-36 cushion after 20 minutes. Lonergan and Maddock combined for 13 points during a 15-5 run that gave Colorado College a four-point lead with a little more than 15 minutes to play.

CC was sharp early, taking a 10-point lead when senior guard Justin Berardino dialed long distance 7:27 into the game.

Maddock led the Tigers with 20 points, while John Hatch registered career highs with 18 points and five assists. The sophomore forward also grabbed seven rebounds.

Matthew Gillette came off the bench to score 14 points for the Bulldogs, who improved to 8-0 at home.

TLU's bench outscored Colorado College's 24-3. The Bulldogs also won the turnover battle, 15-8.

CC won't have to wait long for a rematch. Texas Lutheran visits Reid Arena next Friday night at 6 p.m.

First, however, the Tigers complete their two-game road trip to south Texas on Saturday night at Southwestern University.