WASHINGTON, D.C. (1/17/09) - The Colgate University women's basketball team fell to Patriot League rival American University, 63-47, on Saturday afternoon at Bender Arena. Nicole Ryan led all scorers with 17 points for the Eagles.
Sophomore Sami Kozlowski (New Market, Md.) led the Raiders offense with 13 points and three assists. Tricia Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) followed with 10 points and four rebounds, while senior Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) added eight points and four boards.
American gained an early lead from their outside shooting, knocking down three long-range shots to gain a 13-6 advantage just over seven minutes into the first half. After the Eagles gained a 20 point lead, 29-12, the Raiders responded with a 10-3 run to pull within 13 points with 2:56 on the clock. Kozlowski and Polinski each had three's to help cut the Eagles' advantage. American led by 15 at the half-time break, 36-21.
Colgate closed the half with 42.9 percent (9-21) shooting from the floor. The Eagles shot 41.7 percent (10-24) from the field including 46.2 percent (6-13) from behind the arc and 83.3 (10-12) percent from the free throw line. The Raiders were out-rebounded 16-10 in the first half.
The Eagles were able to gain another 19 point lead early in the second half, but the Raiders turned up the defense, holding American to just two points in six minutes of play. Down by 18 with 9:08 remaining in the game, the Raiders took advantage of being able to stop American's offense and fought back, going on a 10-2 run, to cut the Eagles lead to 10, 55-45 with 3:29 remaining. American however, held on for the 63-47 victory.
Colgate shot 44.2 percent (19-43) overall and 50.0 percent (4-8) from the free throw line. American finished the day with 40.8 percent (20-49) shooting from the floor and went 16-20 from the charity stripe. The Eagles held the advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Raiders 33-22.
The Raiders will be on the road again Wednesday, to take on Lehigh. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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