HAMILTON – It wasn't a thing of beauty, but Colgate did more than enough in its final pre-Patriot League tuneup to crown the best nonconference performance in program history.
Colgate took care of Wagner 74-58 here Sunday in its first game action in exactly two weeks. The rust was flying, but this Raiders team wouldn't be denied its fifth home victory in five tries.
And Colgate's 8-3 nonconference record is the best ever seen in these parts.
The 2003-04 Patriot League champions went 8-5 against their nonleague slate, the 1997-98 Raiders went 8-6 and the 1990-91 Colgate squad finished 8-7.
That's it; that's the list. Which means this year's Colgate win total ties for the most nonconference victories and easily outdistances any predecessors in percentage (.727).
This year's 5-0 finish against nonleague competition matches the 1997-98 Raiders for best all-time.
Colgate outscored the visiting Seahawks in every quarter but never could quite put the game on ice. The Raiders led 15-12 after one quarter and 31-22 at halftime before putting forth their best effort early in the second half.
Colgate outscored Wagner 16-5 to start the third quarter and led 47-27 as Thompson tallied nine of her team-high 15 points during that stretch. The Raiders led 49-29 with 3:27 left in the third, only to watch Wagner close the period on a 13-3 run to stay within striking distance at 52-42 entering the fourth.
The Seahawks pulled within eight points twice in the early going of the final session before Colgate answered with a 13-2 spurt to push the lead to 67-48 with 3:39 showing. Graham scored eight of her 13 points during that stretch to help seal the victory.
Bottom Line
• Colgate 74, Wagner 58
From the Sources
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Head Coach Bill Cleary (On the win) "With the two weeks off, you could tell we were shaking off the cobwebs, especially coming out of finals. But our kids managed it well and we are excited to walk out of here with a W."
Listen to the rest of Coach Cleary's comments
HERE.
•
Senior Guard Rachel Thompson (On her performance) "We started slow and I wasn't playing as aggressively as I usually do, and my coaches urged me to snap back into it, to get back into my flow. So I saw the openings on offense and made sure to look for my teammates in transition, and that got us going as a team."
Listen to the rest of Thompson's comments
HERE.
Stats of the Game
• Colgate's 17 steals Sunday were the most since the Raiders had 17 against Holy Cross back in March 2013.
•
Ava Williams posted a career-high 10 rebounds to go with nine points. Williams is second on the team in rebounding at 4.5.
• Graham and
Taylor Langan both had a career-high four steals.
• Thompson in addition to her 15 points had eight rebounds and three steals. The Patriot League's assist leader finished with six against just one turnover.
•
Katlyn Ghavidel's 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining was Colgate's lone basket from downtown. The Raiders finished 1-of-10.
•
Nia Ahart and
Haley Greer returned from injury absences and combined for seven points.
• The Raiders shot just 39.4 percent in the first half but were a salty 53.3 percent after intermission.
Gate Grab Bag
• Attendance at Cotterell Court was 318.
Up Next
• Colgate opens Patriot League play Jan. 2 at American.
• The Eagles are 4-6 after Sunday's 66-53 home victory over George Washington.
• Tipoff is 7 p.m., with the Patriot League Network carrying the livestream.
