Asher Nofziger collected his third double-double of the season with 24 points and 14 rebounds and Colorado College made a season-high 15 three pointers as the Tigers posted a 95-76 victory over Hardin-Simmons Thursday night at Reid Arena.
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Scott Ruegg added 16 points and
Ty Hendler had 13 as CC snapped a five-game losing skid with a season-high point-total.
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The Tigers (3-5) trailed 20-17 with 6:34 remaining in the first half, then put together a 15-2 run over the next 5:38 to take a 32-22 lead, paced by five points from
Kevin Dittman and four from
Adrian Price.
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Following a bucket by the Cowboys, Ruegg and Hendler each hit a three-pointer to make it 38-24 with 55 seconds left in the first half, which concluded with a Hendler layup, giving the Tigers commanding 40-26 halftime advantage.
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Colorado College shot a blistering 57.1 percent (16-28) from the field and three-point range (8-14). The Tigers defense was just as good, holding Hardin-Simmons to 34.5 percent (10-29) and the Cowboys were 0-for-6 from long range.
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Asher Nofziger hit a three and two free throws right out of the gate to start the second half and Hendler added a jumper to give CC a 47-36 lead less than two minutes into the half.
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HSU battled back with a 14-4 streak, including six by Austin Brewer, to cut the lead to 51-40 with 12:48 remaining in the second half.
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The Tigers put the game away by making 15 of their next 17 free throws, including four straight by Ruegg after HSU head coach Matt Brackett was assessed a technical foul with 5:51 left in the game, to take a 79-50 advantage.
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CC finished the game with season-high shooting percentages of 53.6 percent (30-56) from the field and 62.5 percent (15-24) from three-point land. The Tigers nailed 7-of-10 three pointers in the second half. The 62.5% from three-point range is the highest in the
Jeff Conarroe era at CC.
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Chris Bryant led Hardin-Simmons (4-6) with 19 points and seven rebounds. Brewer and Asher Fleming followed with 12 apiece.
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The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 21, against Willamette at Reid Arena, beginning at 1 p.m.