COLORADO SPRINGS – Whitworth held off a late charge from Colorado College to defeat the Tigers 74-65 on Saturday evening in the consolation game of the Rocky Mountain Classic.

The Pirates (3-3) led by 18 points with under ten minutes to play before the host Tigers (2-4) closed to within six points with two minutes left. 

Jake Holtz led Whitworth in points (16) and rebounds (7).

The Bucs never trailed, getting a game-opening three-pointer from Michael Smith and jumping out 8-2 on a short jumper by Holtz.  After CC closed within 10-8, Whitworth scored seven straight points, including five by JT McDermott, got go ahead 17-8.  Stephen Behil's three-pointer gave the Pirates their first double-digit lead (24-13) nine minutes into the game.  Leading 28-21, Whitworth scored eight straight to take a 36-21 advantage.  The Pirates led 36-24 at the break after making 13 of 28 (46.4%) shots in the opening period and holding the Tigers to 8-27 (29.6%).

After Whitworth opened a 41-24 lead on a Holtz layup, Colorado College got within 41-30 on a three-pointer from Edgar Romero.  The Pirates recovered and took their largest lead at 53-35 on Jerry Twenge's three-pointer with 9:44 to play.  The Tigers rallied, getting within 56-49 with 5:21 left and as close as 65-59 on Scott Ruegg's three-point play with 2:01 left in the game.  Rowan Anderson's three-pointer with 41 seconds left gave Whitworth its final margin.  The Pirates shot 11 of 31 (35.5%) in the second half, while the Tigers improved to 14-26 (53.8%).  Whitworth withstood the challenge by forcing eight turnovers and Colorado College made only 9 of 17 (52.9%) free throws in the period.

Holtz went 7 of 11 from the floor and 2-3 at the free throw line.  McDermott and Jerry Twenge added 13 points apiece, while Smith finished with a dozen points.  Anderson dished six assists.

Dinari Boykin scored all of his 16 points in the second half for the Tigers.

Whitworth will open Northwest Conference play at Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran next Friday and Saturday.