HAMILTON, N.Y. (2/10/2007)—Colgate University sophomore Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) scored a game-high 21 points off of a career-high six three-pointers to lead the Raiders to a 66-53 victory over American University in Patriot League women’s basketball action on Cotterell Court. The Raiders never trailed in the game as they move into a three-way tie for third place in the league.

 

Colgate improves to 5-20 overall and 4-6 in the Patriot League, while American drops its fourth straight game to fall to 9-16 and 4-6 in conference action.

 

Freshman TaHara Williams (Mason, Ohio) added a career-high 18 points and six assists in the win, while junior Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) had 10 points and six rebounds. Polinski led the team on the glass with a game-high eight boards. Senior Carly Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ontario) had a strong all-around game with seven points, six rebounds, and four steals.

 

The Eagles were led by Nicole Ryan and Talicia Jackson with 13 points apiece. Abby Lipskis scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds for American. Jackson also pulled down six boards for the Eagles.

 

Colgate had its way with the American defense in the first half, shooting 50 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from long range. The Raiders also outrebounded the Eagles on the offensive glass 7-3.

 

With the game tied at 15 at the 10:40 mark, the Raiders went on a 13-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 28-17 lead which they would never relinquish. American pulled within six, but it was all Raiders down the stretch as Colgate led by as many as 12 points in the opening frame. Colgate outscored the Eagles 22-12 in the final 10 minutes to head into the break in front 37-27.

 

Sporting a 10-point lead coming out of the locker room, Colgate never let up as American tried to make up the double-digit deficit. The Eagles were able to make it a two or three possession game a few times, but the Raiders always answered right away.

 

American made it a six-point game with just over 12 minutes remaining, but it was Polinski’s hot hand from three-point range that put Colgate back up by nine. The Eagles looked poised to make a late run as they cut it to 57-50 with a layup from Jackson at the 3:35 mark.

 

That is where Polinski and Williams stepped up to take over. Polinski hit a trifecta on the next possession to put the Raiders up by 10 again and Williams went 4-of-4 from the charity stripe to secure the victory.

 

For the game, the Raiders shot 42.3 percent from the field and 58.8 percent from long range. Colgate’s 10 three-pointers is a season-high, while its 16 assists also match its season-high. Colgate won the battle of the boards, 36-29.

 

American shot 38.2 percent from the floor and just 29.4 percent from long range. The Eagles had just eight assists for the game.

 

Colgate stays at home for its next contest, hosting Lehigh on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The Raiders lost at Lehigh earlier this season, 62-53.