SPOKANE, Wash. – Rowan Anderson poured in a season-high 22 points to lead 15th-ranked Whitworth to an 80-61 win over visiting Colorado College on Sunday afternoon.
The Pirates (8-1) shot over 50% from the field and had four players in double figures against the Tigers (2-7).
Colorado College led for much of the first half. After seven early lead changes, the Tigers went ahead 12-11 on a three-pointer by Scott Ruegg. The Pirates took a 17-14 lead on a pair of Jordan Lester free throws, but the visitors got a three-pointer from Scott Cunningham to retake an 18-17 advantage. Jerry Twenge's three-pointer capped a quick 5-0 run for the Bucs and Whitworth never trailed again. The Pirates finally gained some breathing room late in the half when Anderson drained a three-pointer for a 34-24 margin. Whitworth took a 35-26 lead into halftime.
The Pirates went up 46-33 on Liam Fitzgerald's three-pointer six minutes into the second half. Colorado College cut the deficit to 46-40 when Leo Magnus converted a three-point play four minutes later. It's as close as the Tigers got in the second half. Anderson answered with back-to-back three-pointers for the Pirates. Anderson's fourth three-pointer of the game extended the margin to 66-52 with five minutes left and the Pirates eventually led by as many as 20 points (77-57) late in the game.
Anderson made 4 of 7 from beyond the arc and all six of his free throws. JT McDermott added 15 points, while Lester had 12 points and Fitzgerald scored 11. Whitworth finished 26-50 from the floor (52%) and 19-23 from the free throw line (82.6%). Miguel Lopez led the Bucs with seven rebounds, but the Tigers outrebounded Whitworth 31-28.
Cunningham scored a game-high 24 points for Colorado College. Ruegg added 15 and they were the only two in double figures. The Tigers finished 21-48 (43.8%) from the field, 15-22 (68%) from the free throw line.
Whitworth will host Schreiner (Texas) next Friday night at 7:00 pm.
