Tigers Downed By Panthers – Colorado College Athletics

The Colorado College men’s basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season at the hands of Hanover College in a 72-68 final score. The Tigers battled the Panthers to the final seconds but ultimately fell short. 
 
Devin Philio matched his career-high from only a game ago, dishing out 20 points to lead the Tigers after shooting 75 percent (9-12) from the floor, also a career-best for Philio in games he has taken 10 shots. 
 
Philio also grabbed five boards. Senior Asher Nofziger was one rebound shy of another double-double. The Denver native finished with 13 points, nine boards,  four assists and two steals. 
 
Sophomore Ty Hendler was the other Tiger to finish in double digits with 10 points, four rebounds, and an assist. 
 
CC shot 48.3 percent from the floor, including 50 percent in the first half. The Panthers had a 36-33 lead at the half despite shooting only 46.67 percent from the floor. Hanover attempted 18 three-pointers in the first half alone and made seven of them. 
 
Hanover shot 50 percent from long range in the second half but only shot eight three-pointers. CC made only one three in the first half, but made four after the break. 
 
The differential between the two teams increased to seven points in the second half. Hanover built its most significant lead of the night, 45-38, with 17 minutes left in the game. The Tigers battled back to take a 50-48 lead with 12 minutes left after Nofziger made a jumper inside the paint.
 
The lead exchanged hands five more times before the end of the game. Hanover took over after CC held the lead for eight minutes. The Panthers jumped ahead 65-63 with 3:13 left and never trailed for the remainder of the evening. 
 
Buckets by Nofziger and Gavin Carter cut the lead down to a single possession with under a minute to play, but the Panthers held on in the final minute to win 72-68. 
 
CC will head east next week to Nebraska Wesleyan to battle the Prarie Wolves on Sunday, November 24, in Lincoln, Neb.