Sophomore winger
Audrey Bayston poured in a career-high 26 points, however second-ranked Whitman College converted 11 of 12 free throws during the final 67 seconds to secure a 80-70 victory over Colorado College on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the 2021 Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic.
Bayston, who earned a spot on the all-tournament team, shot 9-for-18 from the floor while surpassing the 20-point mark for the third time this season. Her triple with 2:36 remaining in the game cut CC's deficit to 66-61, then she hit three free throws with 12 seconds to play to make the difference 76-70. The Blues scored the final four points at the charity stripe to seal their ninth consecutive victory.
The Tigers were red hot during the first quarter, shooting 75 percent from the floor while opening a 23-14 lead. After Bayston hit a three-pointer 1:57 into the second quarter to give Colorado College a 26-17 cushion, Whitman countered with a 17-1 run to build a 34-27 lead with 2:56 remaining before halftime.
Anna Fanelli scored four of her 17 points during the final two minutes to help the Tigers close to within three points after 20 minutes.
CC struck for the first six points of the second half and played with a lead for most of the third quarter, but after Bayston gave the Tigers a 46-45 lead, Whitman scored the final four points to take a three-point advantage into the final quarter.
Colorado College was within a point when
Talia Cloud hit a jumper with 7:44 to play, but the Blues scored 10 of the next 13 points to stretch their lead to eight points with 5:21 to go.
Fanelli finished with 17 points and a game-high five assists for the Tigers, while Cloud produced 13 points and seven rebounds.
Lindsay Drango finished with 14 points to lead six Whitman players who recorded double-digit points.
Tournament MVP Kaylie McCracken added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Blues.
Colorado College Standouts
Healy Bledsoe recorded seven points and four rebounds.
Rosie Braley finished with five points and six rebounds.
Whitman College Standouts
Sydney Abbott produced 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Taylor Chambers added 11 points and three assists.
Notes
Colorado College slipped to 3-6 overall.
Whitman College improved to 9-0.
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College travels to Texas for its first full weekend of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play next weekend. The Tigers visit Southwestern University on Friday, Dec. 17, then play at Texas Lutheran University the next day.
