Despite a game-high 21 points from sophomore
Dinari Boykin and 17 from junior
Scott Ruegg, the Colorado College men's basketball team dropped a 75-67 decision to Nebraska Wesleyan in the 2023-24 season opener Saturday afternoon at Reid Arena.
Â
Nebraska Wesleyan used a 7-0 run to extend an 11-7 lead into an 18-7 advantage with 13:27 left in the first half thanks to eight points from Jack Groeteke, who led the Prairie Wolves with 20 points. The Tigers clawed back and took their first lead of the game, 35-34, on a three-pointer from Boykin at the halftime buzzer.
Â
Adrian Price hit an early layup and a jumper by Ruegg and 3-pointer by Boykin gave the Tigers their biggest lead of the game, 42-36, with 18:24 left in the second half.
Â
NWU fought back to regain the lead at 51-49 with 13:51 remaining, then Peter Lash hit a pair of free throws to give the Prairie Wolves the lead for good at 53-51 with 12:19 remaining in the contest. The lead was extended to 57-51 before a Boykin 3-pointer halted the slide.
Â
Ruegg's three-pointer with 5:52 left cut the lead to 61-60, but the Tigers didn't get any closer.
Â
"Tonight was a tough loss for us as we battled and competed," head coach
Jeff Conarroe said. "The game reminded me of a mid-February game, it was a battle. Nebraska Wesleyan has a good team, tough kids, and they earned the win.
Â
Groeteke went 4-for-5 from three-point range, but his teammates only went 1-for-15, while the Tigers were 9-for-27 (33%) from behind the arc. Lash had 18 points and seven rebounds for NWU, while Carter Glenn chipped in with 14 points. Boykin led all players with eight rebounds and added three assists.
Â
The Tigers committed 24 turnovers and was 14-of-21 from the free-throw line. NWU had 18 turnovers and made 22 of 27 free-throw attempts.
Â
"We have to fix our turnover and foul problem," Conarroe added. "We just gave up too many easy baskets. Also, we have to be better on the glass."
Â
The Tigers return to action on Sunday, Nov. 12, against Rhodes College at Reid Arena, beginning at 3 p.m.
