NIAGARA, N.Y. (11/10/2006)—Colgate University junior Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) posted her first career double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds in a 76-62 season-opening loss to Niagara University in women’s basketball action at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles’ Shaunna Ambrose led all scorers with 22 points.

 

The opening 20 minutes was a back and forth affair featuring a combined 18 fouls in the opening 11 minutes. The Raiders jumped out to an 8-3 lead before Niagara responded with 9-2 run to take its first lead of the contest at 12-10 at the 13:11 mark. Colgate and the Purple Eagles traded the lead over the next few minutes, but the Raiders used an 11-1 run over the span of three minutes to regain a 25-17 advantage, its largest lead of the half. Gillard had six points during that stretch.

 

The Purple Eagles came right back with a 10-0 streak over the next 4:30 to go back in front, 27-25 with four minutes left in the half. They traded leads down the stretch as the Raiders closed out the final two minutes with a 7-2 run for a 36-31 lead at the break.

 

Colgate shot 42.4 percent from the floor in the first stanza, while Niagara was just 25.8 from the field, making just eight field goals.

 

The Raiders came out cold in the second half, needing over three minutes to get a basket. Niagara chipped away at the lead over the next six minutes and took the advantage for good at, 46-43, with a three-pointer from Sarah Wilson at the 10:43 mark. That three capped a 12-2 run for Niagara.

 

Colgate cut the lead to six on a pair of free throws from junior Shevorne Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.), but could not get any closer as the Purple Eagles surged ahead by as many as 12 down the stretch. Martin posted a career-high 10 points for the Raiders.

 

Freshman Katie Garman (Poplar Grove, Ill.) registered seven points and eight rebounds in her collegiate debut for Colgate.

 

The Raiders shot just 30 percent from the floor in the second half and finished with 26 turnovers for the contest. Niagara finished 29.2 percent from the field and with 17 turnovers.

 

Jennifer McNamee added 17 points for Niagara, while Chantelle Wilson also posted a double-digit performance with 10. Sarah Wilson led the Purple Eagles on the glass with 13 boards.   

 

The Raiders kick off their home schedule next on Nov. 14, hosting Canisius at 7 p.m., on Cotterell Court. The game will be webcast live through Colgate All-Access. Fans can sign up to watch by clicking on the flash ad on the right-hand side of the Colgate Athletics web site. Live statistics also will be available for fans unable to make it to the contest.