CooXooEii Black tied his season high with 27 points and led four Tigers in double figures as the Colorado College men's basketball team opened the New Year with an 88-80 victory over Austin College Friday at Reid Arena.
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Black, who hit the 20-point mark for the sixth consecutive game, was 8-of-14 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line as the Tigers improved to 3-8 overall and 1-4 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
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Eric Jonas added 18 points for CC, while
Aaron Acosta had 17, including eight during a key 13-0 run early in the second half.
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Black hit a layup with 1:21 remaining in the first half to give the Tigers a 40-39 lead, but the 'Roos answered with the final four points of the half and Kameron Hill hit a pair of three-pointers coming out of halftime to build a 49-40 lead.
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Black made his lone three-pointer of the game, then a layup by Acosta and two free throws by
Scott Cunningham cut he Austin lead to 49-47. Acosta then drilled a pair of long-range shots to close the 13-0 streak and put the Tigers ahead, 53-49, with 16:42 remaining in the second half.
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Colorado College led 60-56 after a layup by
DeAnte' Dennis at the 12:54 mark thanks to one of eight assists by
Charlie Rounaghi, tying his career high.
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Austin College battled back as Jacob Kobos hit a three-pointer and Devin Roland made a pair of shots to give the 'Roos a 63-61 advantage midway through the second half.
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Neither team held a lead of more than three points until Black connected on a mid-range jumper with 4:17 left for a 76-71 advantage, then his layup with 2:57 left gave CC a 78-72 lead.
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The Tigers sealed the game by making 10-of-12 free throws in the final 1:42, including four by
Jack McRoskey and three apiece from Acosta and Jonas.
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Colorado College Standouts
Black and Rounaghi led the Tigers with six rebounds apiece.
McRoskey added 10 points, five assists and two steals.
Cunningham was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
CC was 12-of-14 from the free-throw line.Â
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Austin College Standouts
Roland led the 'Roos with 20 points.
Michael Holland pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
The 'Roos fell to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the SCAC.
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Next for the Tigers
Colorado College continues SCAC play it hosts the University of Dallas on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 4 p.m.Â
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