HAMILTON – The Colgate men's basketball team fell victim to a hot-shooting Bucknell squad Saturday afternoon as the Bison captured an 83-69 victory at Cotterell Court.
 
The Raiders shot 33.3 percent (9-for-27) from the field in the first half and trailed 33-20 before rebounding with a 54.8 percent (17-for-31) clip from the field in the second frame, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hot-shooting Bison.
 
First-year Will Rayman led the Raiders with 19 points, while junior Sean O'Brien chipped in 15.
 
The Raiders got out to a quick start, scoring six of the game's first eight points thanks to baskets from sophomore Malcolm Regisford, junior Tom Rivard and Rayman. Bucknell answered with an 8-2 run over the next four minutes to take its first lead of the game at 10-9 with 11:20 left on the first-half clock.
 
A three-pointer from sophomore Francisco Amiel and an O'Brien jumper put Colgate back in front. The Raiders would remain in the lead for the next three minutes as Colgate held an 18-15 advantage with 8:40 to play. The Bison then embarked on an 18-2 run to close the half as Colgate's offense went cold and Bucknell took a 33-20 lead into halftime.
 
The Bison scored the first eight points of the second half to stretch their lead to 21 just over three minutes into the term and force a Colgate timeout. A three-pointer from junior Jordan Swopshire stopped the streak at the 16:06 mark and ignited a 15-7 Raider run that pulled Colgate within 48-35 with 11:59 to play.
 
Colgate trimmed the lead down to 12 following a Rayman trey, but Bucknell embarked on a 17-7 streak to pull ahead 67-45 with 6:45 on the clock. A three-pointer from junior Jordan Robertson sparked a 12-3 Colgate run over the next two minutes as the Raiders trimmed the Bison lead to 70-57 with 4:23 to play. Colgate wouldn't get close the rest of the way, however, as Bucknell walked away with the 83-69 victory.
 
BOTTOM LINE

• Bucknell 83, Colgate 69

 
WON-LOST RECORDS

• The Raiders fall to 4-15 overall and 2-4 in the Patriot League.
• Bucknell improves to 13-6 on the season and 5-1 in league action.

 
KEY RAIDER INFO

• Rayman's 19 points came on a 6-for-13 showing from the field. Its his eighth-straight double-digit scoring effort and 15th of the season.
• Rayman also led the squad with six rebounds.
• O'Brien shot 6-for-12 from the field and added three assists.
• Robertson tied his season high with nine points.

 
FACTS & FIGURES

• Colgate finished the game shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) from the field, 36.0 percent (9-for-25) from three-point range and 61.5 percent (8-for-13) from the charity stripe.
• The Bison shot 56.0 percent (28-for-50) from the floor, 50.0 percent (9-for-18) from downtown and 58.1 percent (18-for-31) from the free throw line.
• Bucknell held a 37-24 rebound edge.
• The Bison scored 16 points off nine Colgate turnovers.

 
UP NEXT

• The Raiders head back on the road Wednesday to face first-place Boston University.
• Tipoff from Boston is set for 7 p.m.
• All information on how to follow can be found at Game Central.