Box Score Justin Berardino poured in nine of his 20 points in overtime as Colorado College overcame a sub-par regulation performance to defeat Southwestern University, 86-73 in overtime, in a key Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference game on Sunday afternoon at Reid Arena.

The Tigers scored the first 11 points of the extra period, including nine from three-point range, and never looked back while winning their first overtime game of the season.

CC improved to 13-8 overall and strengthened its hold on second place in the SCAC with an 8-2 mark in league play.

Sophomore forward John Hatch ignited the pivotal run when he connected from the right corner 20 seconds into the extra session, and after sophomore guard Eric Houska sank a pair of free throws, Berardino hit back-to-back long balls to give Colorado College a 76-65 cushion with 2:14 to play.

In addition to his season-high points, Berardino dished out six assists while committing only one turnover.

"Justin was the difference maker," head coach Andy Partee said. "I've tried to instill in him that as he goes, we go. That's the nature of being the quarterback. It doesn't always have to be scoring. He was the glue today."

Hatch led the Tigers with 21 points, which matched his career high. He went 7-for-10 from the floor to shoot .700 or better for the fourth game in a row. The sophomore forward also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

"Hatch has been steady," Partee said. "I played him all but two minutes because we needed his athleticism and rebounding ability."

Houska added 13 points and led CC with a career-high eight rebounds.

As a team, the Colorado College hit a season-high 16 three-pointers on 24 attempts. Berardino tied his career high by making five of seven efforts from behind the arc.

The Pirate's Connor Kim had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but his three-pointer from the top of the key wouldn't fall.

Southwestern led 57-52 after Kim dialed long distance with 4:56 to go, but the Tigers answered with three-pointers from Hatch and Berardino to retake the lead.

CC took a 65-64 lead on Berardino's baseline floater with 35 seconds to play, but Chris Molina made one of two free throws to tie the game and Zachary Whitlock snagged the rebound to set up Southwestern's last-second shot.

"It was a risk to use a combination of defenses, but they weren't too sure where their offense was going to come from," Partee said. "We confused them a little on their last

possession of regulation and that was the beginning of the frustration they had in overtime."  

Ryan Ogden finished with a game-high 22 points for the Pirates, who slipped to 8-12 overall and 5-4 in the SCAC.

Kim added 13 points, while Zachary Whitlock posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Neither team led by more than four points during the first half until Houska hit a three-pointer with 5:45 to go to put the Tigers up, 29-24.

Houska hit a jumper with 2:40 remaining to give Colorado College a six-point lead, but the Pirates scored five in a row to pull to within 33-32.

Hatch buried a long three-pointer with 21 seconds to go to give the Tigers a 36-32 lead at the half.  

CC concludes its home schedule next week when the University of Dallas and Austin College visit Reid Arena on Friday and Sunday, respectively.