Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. (1/7/2012) – Seniors Nick Pascale and Mike Venezia combined for 21 points and 13 rebounds but it wasn't enough as the Colgate men's basketball team opened Patriot League play with a 82-54 loss to American at Bender Arena. The loss was the fifth-straight for the Raiders.

Pascale led the Raiders with 11 points, seven rebounds and one blocked shot, while Venezia pitched in 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Junior Mitch Rolls scored eight points with two rebounds and one steal in the loss.

Both teams exchanged baskets to begin the game as American held an early 7-6 lead at the first media timeout. The Eagles would then extend their lead to 22-11 after a 15-5 run over the next five minutes of action. The Raiders would respond with an 8-4 run, including a three-pointer from Rolls, to trim the lead 26-19 with 6:23 left, but American then closed the half with an 18-0 run to take a 44-19 lead into the locker room.

American (10-6, 1-0) opened the second half with a 6-1 run to extend its lead to 50-20 with 17:19 remaining in regulation. The Raiders then pieced together a 12-2 run to trim the lead to 52-32, but that was as close as the score would get as the Eagles responded with a 28-18 run to rebuild a 30 point lead 80-50 with 1:46 left to claiming their 14th-staight win over the Raiders at Bender Arena.

The Eagles were led by Charles Hinkle who scored a game-high 21 points, while John Schoof pitched in 18 and Blake Jolivette scored 10.

American shot 53.4 percent from the floor, including 45 percent from three-point range, while Colgate shot 35.3 percent overall and 21.4 percent from downtown. The Eagles also won the battle on the boards 36-29 and forced 10 Raiders turnovers that resulted in 14 points.

Colgate (5-10, 0-1) will travel to Bucknell on Wednesday, Jan. 11. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion and will be streamed live on Patriot League All-Access.

Both of the Raiders basketball teams are hosting the seventh annual “Shoot With The Raiders” event tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 8) at 1:00 p.m. at Cotterell Court in the Reid Athletic Center.

The event, which is open to the public, will give fans the opportunity to meet and get autographs from their favorite players and coaches. There will also be a series of skill competitions and drills for participants which include shooting, basketball relay races, and more to name a few. Admission for the event is free.