The Colorado College men's basketball team closed out the 2023 calendar year in Shreveport, LA, in a SCAC matchup against Centenary but ultimately fell 71-77 despite outshooting the Gents in the second half. 
 
The Tigers brought the game back within one possession with five minutes to play but couldn't complete the second-half comeback. 
 
Cherry Creek graduate Asher Nofziger led the way with a career-high 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The sophomore shot 7-11 from the field (63.6 percent) from his 25 minutes on the floor. 
 
Also off the bench, Gavin Carter scored a career-high 14 points to match his five boards, three assists and one steal. Nofziger and Carter shot a combined 50 percent (4-8) from three-point range. The Tigers bench outscored the Gents' bench 46-27. 
 
CC jumped out to their first and only lead of the day when Adrian Price scored the game's first points under the basket. Centenary took the lead with 16 minutes to play in the half and didn't lose it for the remainder of the game. 
 
The Tigers and Gents traded baskets for the opening minutes of the first half. Asher Nofziger tied it up at 6-6 with 15:33 to play. However, the Gents went on a run to jump in front by double digits. Centenary went into the half with a 14-point lead.  
 
CC shot significantly better in the second half. They outscored Centenary 47-39 and shot 46.88 percent from the floor compared to 28.00 in the first half. The defense held the Gents to 37.04 percent shooting after the break. 
 
The 14-point halftime lead was brought down to as low as four with six minutes to go as Gavin Carter drilled a jumper inside the paint. The Gents took advantage of getting to the free-throw line and nailed a couple of three-point plays to bring their lead back out to 11 with 2:37 to play. 
 
Scott Ruegg was third in team scoring with eight points alongside his three swipes, four assists and a steal. 
 
CC's comeback fell short in the end and dropped to 6-5 (2-2 SCAC) on the season. The Tigers will return home to host No. 22 Trinity and Schreiner on Jan. 5 and 7.