HAMILTON, N.Y. (02/20/10) - Junior forward Krista Moser (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) scored 14 of her 16 points in the first half as Colgate defeated Bucknell, 62-58, on Senior Day in a Patriot League contest at Cotterell Court.
The Raiders used Moser's strong first half to take a 39-27 halftime lead and held off a late Bucknell charge that cut Colgate's lead to two points in the second half by making some timely baskets and free throws down the stretch.
Junior guard Taylor Wejnert (Ramsey, N.J.) had 12 points to go along with eight rebounds, and sophomore point guard Candace Green (East Brunswick, N.J.) pitched in 10 points.
With the win Colgate moves into sole possession of fourth place in the Patriot League with two conference games left. The Raiders also registered a win against the Bison for the first time since the 2007 Patriot League Tournament, when an eight-seeded Colgate defeated the first-seeded Bucknell, 69-62.
Moser shot 7-for-8 from the field in the first half. She was consistently able to gain position down low off her defender for layups and knocked down a few outside jumpers as well. Moser accounted for Colgate's first eight points and 14 of its first 20.
Lafayette, however, held a 21-20 lead before Green knocked down a three-pointer to give Colgate the lead for good with 7:05 remaining in the first half. After Lafayette guard Trisha Krewson made a free throw, the Raiders responded with a 13-0 run over a 4:18 span, led by Wejnert who accrued five points in that stretch. Wejnert also made a three-point play after getting fouled while making a layup to cap off the first half's scoring effort. To accompany Moser's 14 points, Wejnert and Green each had eight going into the break.
The second half was largely dominated by Bucknell's defensive efforts. The Raiders scored only 12 points in the first 16:30 of the second half, letting the Bison climb back to within a 51-49 margin after a 13-5 Bucknell run, capped by a Cosima Higham free throw.
Clutch Colgate free throws and baskets, combined with Bucknell miscues from the free throw line, proved to be the difference. Sophomore center Tricia Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) nailed a pair of charity stripe shots to put Colgate up 53-49, but Higham responded with a layup with 2:40 remaining. In a strange déjà vu, Oakes once again hit two free throws that were followed by a Higham bucket.
Leading 55-53 with just over minute left, Wejnert hit a jumper to give Colgate a four-point lead. Bucknell missed a three-pointer on the other end, leading to another series of clutch plays from Wejnert. The junior rebounded a free throw miss on the offensive end and got fouled. Wejnert then nailed two free throws to give Colgate a 59-53 lead with 36 seconds remaining. After Krewson missed a jumper, the Raiders sealed the game with three free throws down the stretch.
The Bison missed many opportunities at the line, making just 8-of-17 free throws in the second half.
Bucknell was led by Krewson with 19 points. Joyce Novacek had 13 points, 11 boards, and three steals. Higham scored 11.
Colgate will now play Holy Cross on Wednesday night at Cotterell Court. Game time is at 7 p.m.
