CooXooEii Black tied his season high with 27 points and led four Tigers in double figures as the Colorado College men's basketball team opened the New Year with an 88-80 victory over Austin College Friday at Reid Arena.
 
Black, who hit the 20-point mark for the sixth consecutive game, was 8-of-14 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line as the Tigers improved to 3-8 overall and 1-4 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
 
Eric Jonas added 18 points for CC, while Aaron Acosta had 17, including eight during a key 13-0 run early in the second half.
 
Black hit a layup with 1:21 remaining in the first half to give the Tigers a 40-39 lead, but the 'Roos answered with the final four points of the half and Kameron Hill hit a pair of three-pointers coming out of halftime to build a 49-40 lead.
 
Black made his lone three-pointer of the game, then a layup by Acosta and two free throws by Scott Cunningham cut he Austin lead to 49-47. Acosta then drilled a pair of long-range shots to close the 13-0 streak and put the Tigers ahead, 53-49, with 16:42 remaining in the second half.
 
Colorado College led 60-56 after a layup by DeAnte' Dennis at the 12:54 mark thanks to one of eight assists by Charlie Rounaghi, tying his career high.
 
Austin College battled back as Jacob Kobos hit a three-pointer and Devin Roland made a pair of shots to give the 'Roos a 63-61 advantage midway through the second half.
 
Neither team held a lead of more than three points until Black connected on a mid-range jumper with 4:17 left for a 76-71 advantage, then his layup with 2:57 left gave CC a 78-72 lead.
 
The Tigers sealed the game by making 10-of-12 free throws in the final 1:42, including four by Jack McRoskey and three apiece from Acosta and Jonas.
 
Colorado College Standouts
Black and Rounaghi led the Tigers with six rebounds apiece.
McRoskey added 10 points, five assists and two steals.
Cunningham was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
CC was 12-of-14 from the free-throw line. 
 
Austin College Standouts
Roland led the 'Roos with 20 points.
Michael Holland pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
The 'Roos fell to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the SCAC.
 
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College continues SCAC play it hosts the University of Dallas on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 4 p.m.