Christian Alaekwe scored a game-high 19 points, including 17 in the first half, to lead the University of St. Thomas over Colorado College, 75-50, Friday afternoon at Reid Arena.
 
Alaekwe shot 6-of-13 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, and added five steals, four rebounds and two blocks for the Celts in the SCAC men's basketball opener for both teams.
 
The teams traded points for the first 10 minutes. With the game tied at 14-14, Andrew Nguyen hit a three-pointer and a layup to open a 19-14 lead for UST with 11:30 remaining in the first half.
 
CC's Scott Cunningham hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to three midway one minute later, but a pair of three-pointers by Alaekwe sparked a 23-7 run to close the half and the Celts held a 42-23 advantage at the break.
 
Cunningham, who led the Tigers with 14 points and five rebounds, hit a three-pointer to make the score 48-32 but CC could get no closer.
 
Devin Philio added 12 points for the Tigers, who fell to 2-6 overall and 0-1 in the SCAC.
 
St. Thomas (7-3, 1-0 SCAC) shot 47.3 percent (26-55) from the field and 45.2 percent (14-31) from three-point range. Nguyen chipped in with 11 points, while Freddy Ricks had 10.
 
The Tigers return to action on Sunday, Dec. 12, with a non-conference game at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., beginning at 1 p.m. (MT).