(Easton, PA – Jan. 25, 2012) Senior Tricia Oakes recorded her third double double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Colgate women’s basketball team fell to Lafayette 66-58 Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center.
Oakes was the lone Raiders in double-figures, while junior Jhazmine Lynch finished the game with nine points and six assists.
The two squads exchanged baskets to open the game, before Lafayette (8-13, 2-4) was able to use a 15-8 run to gain some early control in the game. The Leopards were able to extend their lead to 21-10 with 9:19 remaining in the half, before the Raiders responded with a 7-0 run and cut the lead to 21-17. Lafayette then found a way to get easy baskets and ended the half with a 13-6 run to take a 34-25 lead into the locker room.
Colgate (4-17, 1-5) returned to the court with a newfound energy and used a quick 10-0 run to take its first lead of the game 35-34 with 16:03 remaining. Senior Kelly Korkowski sparked the run with a jumper while Oakes made three consecutive baskets and Lynch hit a jumper for the go-ahead point. The Leopards remained calm and reclaimed the lead, 38-36, before extended their lead to 52-45 with 6:25 left. The Raiders continued to fight back, but could never cut the deficit to less than four points, 62-58 with 18 second left, as Lafayette finished the game making four straight free throws to win its second league game.
Emily Homan scored a game-high 20 points to go with nine rebounds to lead Lafayette, while Melissa Downey added 12 points and three boards.
The Raiders turned the ball over a season-low eight times, while forcing Lafayette into 16 turnovers. Lafayette won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Colgate 53-37.
The Raiders will return home to welcome Holy Cross on Saturday, Jan 28. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. at Cotterell Court and will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports.
