Box Score Colorado College showed on Saturday night that it has what it takes to compete with the elite teams in Division III.
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Junior forward
Chris Lesnansky poured in 21 points and senior guard
Ryan Milne sank four free throws in the final 16 seconds to help the Tigers record a 65-60 victory at 12th-ranked Whitworth University.
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Lesnansky gave Colorado College a 55-45 lead with 6:23 remaining, but the Pirates fought back and cut their deficit to three points with 17 seconds to play on a pair of George Valle free throws.
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After Milne restored the five-point lead with two charity tosses of his own, Whitworths' Kenny Love scored to make the score 63-60 with 10 seconds to play. Milne came through again with eight seconds remaining to seal the victory. Â
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Milne, who was named MVP of the Quality Inn Oakwood Classic, finished the game with 18 points and 43 for the two-game tournament. He also added 11 assists during the weekend.
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Freshman forward
Mitch Carter grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Tigers record a 38-30 advantage on the glass.
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Lesnansky, who finished with six rebounds, climbed into sole possession of 30th place on the program's all-time chart with 352.
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Senior forward
Daniel Webb gave Colorado College a 37-24 lead after he connected on a jumper in the paint with 2:17 remaining in the first half, but the Pirates regrouped and scored the final five points to pull to within 37-29 after 20 minutes.
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Valle recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Colton McCargar added 13 points for Whitworth.
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The Tigers opened a season with back-to-back victories for the first time since 2009 when they defeated CU-Colorado Springs and Bethany College in the Marriott Mountain Lion Classic.
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CC plays its first home contest of the season next Friday when Carleton College visits Reid Arena for the opening game of the 2013 Colorado College Thanksgiving Classic.