BRONX, N.Y. (12/29/08) -   Colgate's Tayler Wejnert (Ramsey, N.J.) scored a career-high 28 points to lead the Raiders to a 78-54 win against the Norfolk State Spartans in the consolation round of the Fordham Holiday Classic at Rose Hill Gymnasium.

Colgate (3-9) had nine players score four or more points in the win, with Kendra Brim (Buffalo, N.Y.) adding 10 points.  Three players led the Raiders in rebounding with Brim, Tricia Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) and Georgia Gier (Mercer Island, Wash.) each posting eight boards. 

The Raiders jumped out to an early lead in the first half, gaining a 17-6 advantage just over five minutes into the game.  Colgate continued to knock down shots while the Raider defense kept Norfolk State (0-7) out of the paint, holding them to just one point during a six minute span. 

With 9:33 remaining in the half, Wejnert scored her first point of the game on the fast break, and followed it up with two free throws to extend Colgate's advantage to 22, 29-7, giving the Raiders their largest lead of the game.  Wejnert scored all 18 of her first half points in the final ten minutes of play. 

The Raiders entered the half time break with a 43-25 lead against the Spartans, on 55.2 percent shooting.  Norfolk State shot 31.3 percent in the first half, while both teams were 2-7 (28.6 percent) from long range.  Colgate dominated on the boards 27-13.

Norfolk State opened the second half with two three pointers in the first three minutes spurring a 12-6 run by the Spartans.  By 6:40, the Spartans had cut the Raiders lead to 12, but it was as close as they would come for the rest of the game as Colgate scored eight unanswered points to regain a 20 point advantage. 

The Raiders continued to build their lead, with junior Katie Garman (Poplar Grove, Ill.) knocking down a shot from behind the arc to give Colgate a 22 point lead in the final minutes, on their way to the 78-54 victory.

Colgate shot 47.5 percent (28-59) in the game and grabbed 49 boards compared to the Spartans' 30.  The Spartans, who were led by Whitney Long and Raychele Payne with 11 points each, shot 33.3 percent for the game.

The Raiders will next take on Central Connecticut State on Wednesday, Dec. 31.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

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