BRONX, N.Y. (12/28/08) -   The Colgate University women's basketball team fell to the Bryant Bulldogs, 71-59 in the first round of the Fordham Holiday Classic at Rose Hill Gymnasium.  Colgate's Sami Kozlowski (New Market, Md.) led all scorers with 16 points and three steals and freshman Tricia Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) had a game high 12 rebounds.

The Bulldogs were the first to score, with a good three-pointer from Kelsey O'Keefe one minute into the game, but the Raiders jumped out to an early lead with an 11-2 run over the next six minutes. 

Bryant connected on three consecutive shots from long range to tie the game at 16 with 8:53 remaining in the half.  The lead changed five more times before the end of the half.  Kendra Brim (Buffalo, N.Y.) netted back-to-back baskets to give the Raiders a 25-22 lead with just over three minutes left in the half, but the Bulldogs fought back in the final seconds to head into the half with a 30-27 advantage.

The Raiders took the lead back just under four minutes into the second half but the Siamone Bennett connected on two free throws to give the Bulldogs a 36-35 advantage.  Bryant was able to build a nine point lead before Colgate pulled within four points with 8:22 remaining in the game.  The Raiders however, couldn't get any closer as the Bulldogs finished with a 71-59 win to advance to the Championship game on Monday.  

Colgate shot 33.9 percent in the game and 65.4 percent from the free throw line.  The Bulldogs finished with 41.5 percent shooting from the field and edged out the Raiders in rebounding 51-41.  

The Raiders will now face Norfolk State tomorrow at 1 p.m. after the Spartans fell to host Fordham during Sunday's early game.  

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