HAMILTON - Morgan McMahon dropped 19 points including a 10-point first quarter to push the Raiders past UMBC and into the Colgate Thanksgiving Tournament Championship.

Colgate advances to the tournament championship to take on the Akron Zips. Akron defeated Iona 64-51 to earn a spot in the championship.

COACH ADEDUNTAN'S COMMENTS

"I thought we played well on both ends of the floor. This is the first game this season where I felt across the course of the game we defended well. We followed the game plan defensively and executed with what our goal was. Offensively we did a great job finding open players, playing for each other, and that is always the goal and focus for us. Very proud of the people who came in and  gave us a spark off the bench. A lot of different players contributed in big ways.

We have to recover quickly. This is a scenario that is different but puts us in the mentality to play tournament style format. So it is going to be recovery and start planning tonight for whoever our next opponent is but we love this. Our players love playing games and having another opportunity to compete against a great opponent will be great for us on this journey."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams traded blows early in the first frame until Morgan McMahon hit a baseline jumper while being fouled. McMahon was unable to convert the free throw but the Raiders took an early 8-6 lead.
• McMahon finished the first quarter with ten points helping Colgate take a 20-12 lead into the second quarter.
• Madison Schiller drilled a triple after Taylor Golembiewski hit a mid range jumper to start the second quarter forcing a UMBC timeout.
• Colgate continued its hot start in the second quarter riding a 12-3 run in the first five minutes of the second.
• Tatiana Matthews came off the bench hitting a trey before finishing a tough layup to push the Raider lead to 39-18 at halftime.
• Colgate came out of the break with a 7-0 start. Anne Bair and Golembiewski each hit a pair of free throws before Schiller hit her second triple of the day.
• McMahon continued her red hot day hitting a eurostep, making the bucket with the foul for the old-fashioned three point play.
• UMBC continued to battle but the Raiders held a 60-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
• The Retrievers hit three straight 3-pointers to cut into the large deficit early in the final frame.

GAME NOTES

• Colgate led 39-18 at halftime, its 21-point advantage is the largest halftime lead this season.
• The Raiders remain perfect on Fridays moving to 3-0 on the season.
• Morgan McMahon's 19 points is one shy of her career high.
• Anne Bair posted double figures for the sixth time this season.
• Colgate earned its fifth consecutive win over UMBC in series history.

UP NEXT
Colgate (5-2) heads to the Thanksgiving Tournament Championship game tomorrow to take on Akron at 4 p.m.