BURLINGTON, Vt. (11/19/2005)—Colgate University sophomore Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio) scored a game-high 16 points, but it was not enough as the Raiders fell just short in a 64-62 loss to William & Mary in women’s basketball action at the TD Banknorth Classic hosted by the University of Vermont. The Raiders’ comeback fell just short as they battled back from eight down with less than three minutes left in the game.

Colgate (0-2) led throughout much of the first half that featured 10 ties. The Raiders opened the game’s scoring on a tip-in from freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) and jumped in front 8-4 on a layup from senior guard Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) at the 16:29 mark.

The Tribe tied the score for the second time at eight apiece, but could not take the lead until the waning minutes of the first half. The Raiders led by four, 27-23, with 5:02 on the clock before William & Mary closed the session with an 11-5 run to head into the break up 34-32.

Polinski led the Raiders in points heading into the locker room with eight on 3-of-3 shooting, while Cargle had seven. Colgate shot 34.2 percent from the field, while the Tribe hit 41 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes.

Polinski started the second stanza with a layup that tied the game for the 11th time, but it was William & Mary’s Sarah Stroh responded with a layup of her own to put the Tribe ahead for good at 36-34 with 17:49 to play.

William & Mary built the lead to five before Colgate made it a one-point game again 41-40 with 15:05 left to play. The Tribe answered with a 9-1 run to give them their biggest lead of the game at nine points.

Maintaining at least a five-point margin over the Raiders late in the contest, Colgate hit key shots on a 7-1 run down the stretch, cutting the lead to two with 31 seconds left. Senior Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) sparked the run with her five-point outburst. The Tribe connected on all three free throws in the closing minutes to secure the two-point victory.

Curtin finished with 13 points, while Polinski ended the night with a season-high 10 points. Polinski also lead the Raiders on the glass, collecting nine caroms. Colgate shot 32.9 percent for the evening on 13-38 shooting.

Devin James led the Tribe offense with 15 points, while Tiara Cruse and 12 points, respectively. Dani Kell hit the boards hard, collecting a game-high 13 boards. Kyra Kaylor posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for William & Mary.

The Raiders return to action on Nov. 25, against McNeese State in the Vanderbilt Tournament at 4 p.m. Colgate will face either Vanderbilt or Charleston Southern the following afternoon at 2 or 4 p.m.