SPOKANE, Wash. – Colorado College showed on Saturday night that it has what it takes to compete with the elite teams in Division III.

Junior forward Chris Lesnansky poured in 21 points and senior guard Ryan Milne sank four free throws in the final 16 seconds to help the Tigers record a 65-60 victory at 12th-ranked Whitworth University.

After Milne restored the five-point lead with two charity tosses of his own, Whitworths' Kenny Love scored to make the score 63-60 with 10 seconds to play. Milne came through again with eight seconds remaining to seal the victory.  

Milne, who was named MVP of the Quality Inn Oakwood Classic, finished the game with 18 points and 43 for the two-game tournament. He also added 11 assists during the weekend. 

Freshman forward Mitch Carter grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Tigers record a 38-30 advantage on the glass.

Lesnansky, who finished with six rebounds, climbed into sole possession of 30th place on the program's all-time chart with 352.

Senior forward Daniel Webb gave Colorado College a 37-24 lead after he connected on a jumper in the paint with 2:17 remaining in the first half, but the Pirates regrouped and scored the final five points to pull to within 37-29 after 20 minutes. 

Valle recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Colton McCargar added 13 points for Whitworth.

The Tigers opened a season with back-to-back victories for the first time since 2009 when they defeated CU-Colorado Springs and Bethany College in the Marriott Mountain Lion Classic.

CC plays its first home contest of the season next Friday when Carleton College visits Reid Arena for the opening game of the 2013 Colorado College Thanksgiving Classic.