LEWISBURG, Pa. — Colgate was one possession away from tying the game at Bucknell and ultimately fell 46–43 to the Bison in the final seconds.
Grace Klag recorded a dominant double-double for the Raiders, finishing with 12 points and 19 rebounds. She posted 10 points and 13 rebounds in the first half alone. The performance marked the first double-double of her career, and she added four assists and one steal.
COACH BUSH'S COMMENTS
"I was proud of Grace today for her impact in the paint on both ends of the floor and was excited to see it result in her first career double double."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Raiders came out strong in the first half, outscoring the Bison 29–21. Klag was dominant in the paint on both ends, shooting 5-of-7 from the field for 10 points while collecting two offensive and 11 defensive rebounds.
Despite both teams exchanging baskets early, Colgate trailed for most of the first quarter. Laila Hankerson hit a key 3-pointer early to generate momentum. Bucknell used a 5–0 run and scored late in the quarter to take a 9–6 lead. Klag's jumper and Madison Schiller's 3-pointer gave Colgate an 11–9 advantage.
Klag's consistent play highlighted the second quarter, as she scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds. Her back-to-back layups tied the game at 15. The Raiders took the lead on Ella Mahaffey's 3-pointer at the 5:20 mark, assisted by Schiller. Colgate extended its advantage to 29–17 after a Hankerson 3-pointer with 1:27 remaining. Bucknell's Kaila Richards answered with four points in the final minute to cut the deficit to 29–21 at halftime.
Free-throw shooting helped the Raiders maintain their lead in the third quarter, as Colgate held a 41–36 advantage. Layups from Abbey Ferguson and Klag, along with free throws from Ella Meabon, were pivotal in building a 35–24 lead. Bucknell trimmed the deficit late in the quarter when Isabella Casey hit a 3-pointer at the 1:10 mark to make it a one-possession game, 39–36. Hankerson closed the quarter by converting two free throws to preserve a five-point lead.
In the final quarter, the Raiders struggled offensively, making just one field goal on 15 attempts. Bucknell capitalized on Colgate's scoring drought, pulling within three points on a layup. Kennedy Parrott connected on a jumper, but with 18 seconds remaining, Casey knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer to give Bucknell a 45–43 lead. Anna Kunzwiler sealed the outcome with a free throw with seven seconds left, as Bucknell secured a 46–43 victory.
NOTES
- Grace Klag recorded the first double-double of her career, finishing with 12 points and 19 rebounds.
- Klag fell four rebounds short of breaking the program's single-game record of 23 rebounds.
- Madison Schiller and Ella Meabon each scored eight points.
- The Raiders shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc (57.1%) in the first half.
UP NEXT
Colgate (5–12, 1-5) will host American (2–4, 4–13) on Cotterell Court on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
