Tigers Rout Hardin-Simmons Behind Nofziger’s Double-Double – Colorado College Athletics

Asher Nofziger collected his third double-double of the season with 24 points and 14 rebounds and Colorado College made a season-high 15 three pointers as the Tigers posted a 95-76 victory over Hardin-Simmons Thursday night at Reid Arena.
 
Scott Ruegg added 16 points and Ty Hendler had 13 as CC snapped a five-game losing skid with a season-high point-total.
 
The Tigers (3-5) trailed 20-17 with 6:34 remaining in the first half, then put together a 15-2 run over the next 5:38 to take a 32-22 lead, paced by five points from Kevin Dittman and four from Adrian Price.
 
Following a bucket by the Cowboys, Ruegg and Hendler each hit a three-pointer to make it 38-24 with 55 seconds left in the first half, which concluded with a Hendler layup, giving the Tigers commanding 40-26 halftime advantage.
 
Colorado College shot a blistering 57.1 percent (16-28) from the field and three-point range (8-14). The Tigers defense was just as good, holding Hardin-Simmons to 34.5 percent (10-29) and the Cowboys were 0-for-6 from long range.
 
Asher Nofziger hit a three and two free throws right out of the gate to start the second half and Hendler added a jumper to give CC a 47-36 lead less than two minutes into the half.
 
HSU battled back with a 14-4 streak, including six by Austin Brewer, to cut the lead to 51-40 with 12:48 remaining in the second half.
 
The Tigers put the game away by making 15 of their next 17 free throws, including four straight by Ruegg after HSU head coach Matt Brackett was assessed a technical foul with 5:51 left in the game, to take a 79-50 advantage.
 
CC finished the game with season-high shooting percentages of 53.6 percent (30-56) from the field and 62.5 percent (15-24) from three-point land. The Tigers nailed 7-of-10 three pointers in the second half. The 62.5% from three-point range is the highest in the Jeff Conarroe era at CC.
 
Chris Bryant led Hardin-Simmons (4-6) with 19 points and seven rebounds. Brewer and Asher Fleming followed with 12 apiece.
 
The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 21, against Willamette at Reid Arena, beginning at 1 p.m.