HAMILTON – Lafayette used a 29-11 run over the final 10 minutes of the first half to establish a double-digit lead that it held for the remainder of the game in an uncharacteristic 76-61 loss for the Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Cotterell Court.
The loss is the third consecutive defeat for the Raiders who fell to 9-14 overall and 6-4 in Patriot League play. Lafayette improved to 9-14 on the season and 4-6 in conference action. This is Colgate's third Patriot League loss at Cotterell Court since January 2021.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colgate had trouble generating offense and Lafayette had its way against the Raiders on defense. A 10-2 surge for the Leopards midway through the opening stanza gave the visitors a double-digit lead, and then a 7-0 run to cap the frame gave Lafayette its largest lead of 19 points, 46-27, at the break.
- In hopes of finding more rhythm in the second half, it never happened for Colgate. Lafayette opened with an 8-0 streak to take its largest lead of the game, 54-29. Josh Ahayere nailed a 3-pointer to end the run, a sign of how things would continue.
- Colgate's best stretch in the second half came when Ahayere connected on back-to-back 3-pointers in an 8-0 spurt, capped by a layup from Jeff Woodward to bring Colgate within 15 points, 67-52, with just over five minutes remaining.
- A three-point play by Parker Jones pulled Colgate within 71-58 with 1:22 remaining, but that was as close as the Raiders would get. Lafayette answered with five unanswered points to put the game away and hand Colgate its third consecutive loss.
- Woodward and Ahayere were Colgate's double-digit scorers, both finishing with 11 points.
GAME NOTES
- Josh Ahayere scored a career-high 11 points on 4-of-6 from the field including 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
- The Colgate men's basketball coaching staff teamed up with coaches across the country suiting up for Coaches vs. Cancer Week, an annual college basketball initiative to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living.
- Colgate is now 6-3 at Cotterell Court this season.
- The Raiders moved to 29-3 in February dating back to 2021.
- This is the first time since January 2017 that Colgate has lost three consecutive Patriot League games.
- Two of Colgate's three home losses since 2021 in Patriot League play have been to Lafayette. The Leopards defeated the Raiders last year in Hamilton 69-64 on Jan. 8.
UP NEXT
Colgate (9-14, 6-4 Patriot) has another quick turnaround, heading to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh on Monday night for a 6 p.m. tipoff in Stabler Arena. The game will air live on CBS Sports Network.
Latest Men's Basketball
- Colgate Unable to Overcome Slow Start at LoyolaBALTIMORE – Loyola made 10 3-pointers in the first half (10-17) to build a double-digit lead it never relinquished in an 84-65 decision Sunday afternoon at Reitz Arena.
- Colgate-American Men’s Basketball Flexed to CBSSNHAMILTON – Colgate hosts American in the regular season finale and the game has been selected to air on CBS Sports Network with tipoff set for noon next Saturday, March 1, announced by the Patriot League office.
- Raiders Survive Late Comeback to Beat Navy, 79-75HAMILTON – Colgate (12-16, 8-6 Patriot) saw its 15-point second half lead fade away late, but a strong final minute pushed the Raiders past Navy (10-18, 7-8 Patriot) 79-75 in a tale of two halves Wednesday night at Cotterell Court.
- Woodward Thrives In Expanded Role
- Colgate Outlasted by Boston U in Double OT, 93-91
- Raiders Pull Away for Road Win at Holy Cross, 87-65WORCESTER, Mass. – Jalen Cox scored 18 points on 7-of-11 from the field in leading Colgate to a road win at Holy Cross, 87-65, on Wednesday evening inside the Hart Center.
