Colorado College pushed unbeaten Austin College to the limit, but the veteran Kangaroos made key plays during the final five minutes and escaped Reid Arena with a 77-69 victory on Friday night.

After Rosie Braley tied the score at 64-64 with 4:52 remaining, the Tigers missed their next four shots and Austin scored on a short jumper and sank five of six free throws to open a seven-point cushion.

Anna Fanelli's jumper cut CC's deficit to 71-66 with 2:14 to play, but five more three throws and a three-pointer from Sarah Gwin sealed the victory for the Kangaroos.   

McKenzee Gertz connected on a three-pointer with one second remaining to cap a 24-point performance for the Tigers.

The junior winger reached the 20-point mark for the sixth time this year and she completed her fourth-consecutive double-double and fifth of the season by matching her season high of 16 rebounds.

Junior guard Abby Walz scored a season-high 10 points and dished out four assists for Colorado College. She also helped limit Austin's Kacie West to 11 points, which was 4.8 below her season average.

Jordan Meltzer also reached double-digits with 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

The Tigers played a near-perfect first quarter, shooting almost 53 percent from the floor while opening an 18-10 lead with 1:29 remaining.

After Colorado College a 21-13 lead on a Meltzer three-pointer, Austin scored 10 in a row to re-gain the lead. The Tigers led 29-28 with 23 seconds to play before halftime, however Reagan Chiaverini connected from behind the arc to give the 'Roos a two-point edge after 20 minutes.

Austin was on the verge of breaking the game open when it built a 49-40 with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter, but a three-point play by Gertz ignited an 8-0 run to get CC to within a point with 1:44 left in the frame.

After falling behind 55-48 late in the third quarter, Colorado College utilized a 14-7 surge to tie the score for the seventh time on a Gertz jumper with 5:50 remaining in regulation.     

Chiaverini led Austin with 17 points, while Gwin finished with 14.

The teams close out their season series on Friday, Jan. 31, when the Tigers travel to Sherman, Texas.
  
    
Colorado College Standouts
Talia Cloud scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds.
Anna Fanelli finished with six points, four rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.
 
Austin College Standouts
Addison Walling scored 11 points and led the 'Roos with seven rebounds.
Ann Savage added nine points and a game-high five assists.
 
Game Notes
Colorado College slipped to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the SCAC.
Austin improved to 10-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
The Tigers finished with a 48-38 advantage in rebounds.
The 'Roos scored 23 points off turnovers.
 
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College plays host to the University of Dallas on Saturday 6 p.m.