GEORGETOWN, Texas – Chris Lesnansky poured in a game-high 26 points to help Colorado College record a 71-64 victory at Southwestern University on Friday night.

The Tigers improved to 13-4 overall and 6-2 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and now have an opportunity to reclaim a share of first place with a victory at Trinity University on Saturday afternoon.

Lesnansky connected on seven of 11 shots from the floor and all 12 free-throw attempts to eclipse the 20-point mark for the sixth time this season. The junior forward also pulled down eight rebounds. 

Sophomore guard Justin Berardino made four of seven attempts from behind the arc and finished with 19 points. Senior guard Ryan Milne added 12 points and three assists.

Sophomore forward James Lonergan grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds as CC registered a 43-27 advantage on the glass.

While Colorado College's dominance in the paint resulted in 30 points, the Pirates countered with 27 from three-point range.

After falling behind by six points nearly six minutes into the contest, the Southwestern used a 26-12 surge to open a 31-23 lead on a three-pointer by Jake Schifani with 2:35 remaining in the first half.

Lesnansky sank four consecutive free throws to trim the Tigers' deficit to 31-27 after 20 minutes, then Milne scored the first four points after the break to knot the score at 31-31.

During the second half alone, there were nine lead changes and eight ties. Neither team led by more than three points until the final minute when the Tigers stretched their advantage to seven by making all six of their free throws.

Eric Garza scored all of his team-high 12 points in the second half to help the Pirates keep pace.

Jake Schifani added 10 points for Southwestern, which slipped to 5-13 overall and 2-6 in league play.