BOSTON – Colgate broke a Patriot League record that stood for more than a decade after beating Boston University 64-51 Monday night at Case Gym.
With the win, the Raiders extended their winning streak against conference opponents to 24, passing Bucknell's 23 straight from 2004-07 for the longest streak in Patriot League history. Colgate has now won nine in a row and remains unbeaten in conference play at 9-0.
Colgate is one of two teams in the country to be 9-0 in conference play.
Braeden Smith scored 21 points to lead Colgate's scoring contingent. Tucker Richardson posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to go with six assists and three steals, while Oliver Lynch-Daniels finished with 12 points.
Boston University started 1-for-6 in front of its raucous crowd and Colgate bolted out to a 16-0 run. Smith scored seven points in the surge and lofted a full-court pass to Richardson for an easy bucket to push the lead to 16-2 eight minutes into the game.
Colgate forced five turnovers during the early start. Boston U scored the first basket of the game and then didn't score again until a 3-pointer from Caelan Jones ended a seven-minute scoreless streak. Richardson countered with a trey of his own and it was 23-5 early.
After the slow start, Boston U found its footing and used an 8-0 run to gain momentum. Chandler Baker's free throws at 6:20 snapped a four-minute scoring drought for the Raiders, who stayed in front by double-digits 29-18.
Colgate raced out front with 23 points in the first nine minutes and only scored 10 over the final 11 minutes of the half. Smith's driving layup gave Colgate a 33-20 lead with 2:53 left in the half and that was the score until three free throws from Anthony Morales made it 33-23 at the intermission.
Lynch-Daniels caught fire with a 10-2 run of his own. He swished a pair of 3-pointers before Richardson turned a steal near mid-court into a fast-break layup to give the Raiders their largest lead 53-32 with 11:28 left in the game.
Walter Whyte countered with seven points in a 9-2 run to bring the home team within 53-41 with 7:50 left. Boston U had its runs but never brought the margin closer than nine points.
Colgate sustained the full-court pressure and Smith made his last four free throws to seal the regular season sweep of the Terriers.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Matt Langel
"Tough environment. I'm proud of the way we started both halves. They are a veteran group and we knew it'd be a physical game. I'm proud of our guys for sticking to the game plan and finding a way to win this one.
"Our guys did bring up the record at stake and the fact that we lost here in a really hard-fought game last year. To break the record for the most consecutive wins in Patriot League history is significant. Our guys are proud of the program they represent, the guys who have come before them, and the guys who will fill their shoes. All of those things matter.
"Now we start classes and need our guys to get settled into a rhythm. Then we'll be ready for a team that has played really well in stretches. I'm sure there will be a unique energy to this game but this is the most important game because it's the next one on the schedule."
NOTES
- Colgate avenged its last Patriot League loss, which came Jan. 28, 2022, at Case Gym, and completed the regular season sweep of Boston U.
- Colgate is now 11-0 this season when its opponent scores less than 70 points.
- The Raiders have won six straight road games dating back to Dec. 7 at Binghamton.
- Braeden Smith recorded his fourth 20-point game of his first-year season.
- Keegan Records posted a season-high four blocked shots.
UP NEXT
Colgate (15-7, 9-0 Patriot) returns to action Saturday when the Raiders host Lafayette at 2 p.m.
