Colorado College erased a six-point fourth-quarter deficit, but couldn't get over the hump and dropped an 86-82 result to the University of St. Thomas on Saturday night at Reid Arena.

In a game that featured 16 ties, including nine in the fourth quarter, the Tigers had an opportunity to take the lead with 21 seconds to play, but Jordan Meltzer's layup rolled around and off the rim, and the Celts capitalized by making all four of their free throws to seal the victory.

McKenzee Gertz led the Tigers with 16 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, which resulted in her eighth double-double of the season.

Freshman forward Talia Cloud posted her first double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while classmate Anna Fanelli tied her season high with nine assists and added eight points.

CC took a 19-12 lead when Cloud hit a three-pointer from the left wing as time expired at the end of the first quarter, but the veteran UST squad rallied to take a five-point second-quarter lead before the Tigers scored the last six points to take a 34-33 lead after 20 minutes.

There were eight lead changes and five ties during the third period which ended when Rosie Braley dialed long distance from the left corner to beat the buzzer and give Colorado College a 57-55 lead.

St. Thomas snapped a 60-60 tie with an 8-2 surge and never trailed the rest of the game.

Bresha Orange led UST with 22 points and added seven rebounds, while Sheridan Hopkins scored 21 points and pulled down a team-best nine rebounds.
    
  
Colorado College Standouts
Rosie Braley scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Jordan Meltzer finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
St. Thomas Standouts
Micayla Hamilton scores 15 points and dished out six assists.
Jazz Taylor finished with nine points and three rebounds.  
 
Game Notes
Colorado College slipped to 11-7 overall and 7-4 in the SCAC.
St. Thomas improved to 12-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play.
The Tigers finished with a 58-42 edge in rebounds.
UST scored 22 points off turnovers.
 
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College hits the road next week for games at Austin College and the University of Dallas on Friday and Saturday, respectively.