HAMILTON - The Raiders won the Colgate Thanksgiving Tournament over Akron, 62-45 on Saturday night at Cotterell Court.

With just over two minutes left, the Zips cut the deficit to nine and had possession. Akron manufactured an open three point look before Madison Schiller slid across and came up with a huge block that fell into the hands of Morgan McMahon. McMahon drove in transition and forced an Akron foul, sinking both free throws and pushing the lead to 11 and giving the Raiders the cushion they needed to win the Thanksgiving Tournament Championship.

COACH ADEDUNTAN'S COMMENTS

"I am super proud of our players. Their toughness this weekend playing back-to-back games. Mostly proud of our defense, I thought we took a huge step forward in the way we want to play Colgate defense."

"[On Georgetown] There's always opportunities to grow and get better. I know there will be some things from this game that we want to get better at. We are playing a Big East opponent and our schedule is set up to be competitive and give us an opportunity to be tested. We'll be excited about going to DC to play in the coaches vs racism game down there."

TOURNAMENT MVP ANNE BAIR'S COMMENTS

"I am super excited. Our goal going into this tournament was to come out on top. This is our home court and we were really excited to represent here. Being able to stay home for Thanksgiving, sleep in our own beds, and wake up everyday and compete at the highest level. To come out on top with two wins is really exciting and awesome to go into the rest of the non-conference with this win."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Colgate jumped out to an early 11-4 lead capped off by a perfect trap set by Taylor Golembiewski and Christina Midgette giving the chance for Golembiewski to finish in transition and force an Akron timeout.
• Akron responded with a 8-2 run to get back within one point with under three minutes left in the first quarter.
• The Raiders finished the final five minutes without a field goal and trailed 18-17 after one quarter.
• Morgan McMahon and Taylor Golembiewski each drew fouls on back-to-back buckets forcing the Zips into early foul trouble in the second frame.
• Colgate used an 8-0 run in the heart of the second quarter to take a ten point lead. Golembiewski picked up a steal and score during the burst while Midgette was able to pick up a loose ball and make a transition layup.
• The Raiders were able to take a commanding 34-24 lead into the halftime break thanks to an impressive defensive quarter. Colgate's defense held the Zips to just six points in the second frame.
• Madison Schiller drilled a trey after an early layup to score the first five points of the second half and extend the Raider lead to 15 points.
• The Raiders remained ahead after three quarters 50-35.
• Akron used a seven point burst in the first five minutes of the final frame to cut the deficit to ten. 
• Nine points was the closest the Zips could get in the final quarter as the Raiders emerged victorious, 62-45.

GAME NOTES

• The Raiders defense held the Zips to just six second quarter points, outscoring Akron 17-6.
• Colgate led for 38 of the total 40 minutes.
• Sophia Diehl finished with nine points, ten rebounds, and three assists, one point shy of her second double-double of the season.
• Christina Midgette and Taylor Golembiewski led the team in scoring with 12 points apiece.
• The Raiders extended their winning streak to three games.

COLGATE THANKSGIVING ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

• Colgate Raiders - Anne Bair - Thanksgiving Tournament Most Valuable Player
• Colgate Raiders - Morgan McMahon
• Akron Zips - Kam'Ren Rhodes
• Iona Gaels - Erin Leary
• UMBC Retrievers - Jaden Walker

UP NEXT
The Raiders (6-2) head to the nation's capital to take on Georgetown next Saturday. Tip is set for 4 p.m.