Colorado College saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end with a 74-72 setback against the University of St. Thomas in the first-ever meeting between the programs on Monday afternoon.

The Tigers never trailed until the midway point of the fourth quarter, and after falling behind 69-61 with 1:42 to play, they scored seven consecutive points in a span of 74 seconds to come within a point of drawing even.

Sheridan Hopkins, who finished with a game-high 33 points, hit one of two free throws to give UST a two-point lead with 15 seconds remaining, then scored an uncontested layup after the ball was jarred out of CC's hands in a collision near mid-court on its next possession.

The Tigers pulled to within two points twice in the final two seconds, but Jazz Taylor sank a pair of free throws to help the Celts escape with the two-point victory.

Talia Cloud led Colorado College's balanced attack with a season-high 20 points. The first-year forward connected on seven of 10 field-goal attempts and all six of her free throws. She also grabbed seven rebounds.

Junior winger McKenzee Gertz posted her fifth double-double of the season and the 18th of her career with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Jordan Meltzer finished with 16 points and a pair of assists.

The Tigers played a near-perfect first quarter and led 20-9 after Cloud completed an old-fashioned three-point play with 1:17 remaining in the fame.

CC built a 27-14 cushion when Mia Thurber scored on a layup almost three minutes into the second frame, but UST cut its deficit to four points before Meltzer scored with 21 seconds to go to give the Tigers a 35-29 lead after 20 minutes.

Gertz gave the Tigers a 44-37 lead when she buried a jumper midway through the third quarter, and after the Celts closed to within 52-51 on a Hopkins triple, Colorado College answered with layups from Meltzer and Abby Walz to take a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.

St. Thomas took its first lead of the game on Olivia Anga's three-point play with 5:09 to go and added seven more points to build an eight-point lead, it's largest of the contest.

Hopkins, the leading scorer in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, was a one-person show for the Celts. In addition to her 33 points, the senior guard grabbed nine rebounds, dished out four assists and had three steals.

The teams meet for the second time on Saturday, Jan. 25, when St. Thomas visits Reid Arena for a game that tips off at 6 p.m. MT.
  
   
Colorado College Standouts
Rosie Braley grabbed 11 rebounds and added nine points.
Izzy Hensley pulled down eight rebounds and had four assists.
 
St. Thomas Standouts
Brianna Orange finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Aerial Starks scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds.
 
Game Notes
Colorado College slipped to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the SCAC.
St. Thomas improved to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
The Tigers finished with a 49-35 advantage in rebounds.
UST scored 23 points off turnovers.
 
Next for the Tigers
Colorado College returns home to face Austin College and the University of Dallas on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3 and 4, at Reid Arena.