Posted: Feb 23, 2024
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Five Tigers scored in double figures, led by a team-high 18 from Orion Samikoglu, as fourth-seeded Colorado College earned a dominating 87-58 win over fifth-seeded University of Dallas in quarterfinal round action at the 2024 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament Friday afternoon at Centenary College. Official Tournament Website | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview | Men's Tournament Stats
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colorado College never trailed as the Tigers opened the game on an early 9-2 run before Dallas cut the lead to 9-8 at the 16:06-mark.
- From there, the Tigers pushed the lead to 21-11 nearing the midway point of the first half. The lead ballooned to 18 (41-23) with just over two minutes remaining before halftime.
- In the second half, Colorado College quickly pushed the lead to 23 (55-32) thanks to a Ty Hendlery 3-pointer with 17:28 to play in the second half.
- Dallas was only able to cut the lead to 19 in the second half as the Tigers earned the wire-to-wire victory.
COLORADO COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Orion Samikoglu: 18 points, five rebounds, 7-of-14 FG, one assist, one steal
- Devin Philio: 15 points, six rebounds, 6-of-8 FG
- Adrian Price {pictured}: 13 points, seven rebounds
- Asher Nofziger: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4-of-5 FT
- Ty Hendler: 10 points, four rebounds
DALLAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kelton Coleman: 27 points, three rebounds, two assists, 8-of-9 FT
- Johny Olmsted : 6 points, four rebounds
- Zac Olmsted: 5 points, four rebounds
NOTABLE
- The Tigers and Crusaders split their two regular season meetings with each team winning on the road.
- Colorado College and Dallas squared off in the SCAC tournament for the first time since the 2015 quarterfinals.
- The Tigers advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2017, where they dropped a 73-65 decision to eventual champion Texas Lutheran. It was CC's first tournament win since the last time the event was held in Shreveport (2016), when the Tigers defeated Austin College (93-83 in overtime) to advance to the title game.
- The 29-point victory by CC ties for the largest margin in a men's tournament game in league history, matching the 29-point win (86-57) of Millsaps over Rhodes at the 2008 championship.
- Colorado College held a commanding 41-14 edge in bench points as well as 24-11 margin in second chance points.
- The Tigers improve to 4-9 all-time in SCAC postseason play while the Crusaders fall to 3-8 in the SCAC tournament.
- Friday's quarterfinal result snapped a streak of three consecutive wins, including four of the previous five, where the fifth seed defeated the fourth seed. Colorado College becomes the first four seed to beat the fifth seed since Schreiner defeated Trinity in 2020.
- Dallas ends its season at 12-14.
UP NEXT
Colorado College (15-11) advances to take on the top seed, Trinity University, at Noon on Saturday.
Colorado College (15-11) advances to take on the top seed, Trinity University, at Noon on Saturday.
