HAMILTON – Colgate women's basketball hosted its end-of-season banquet last Saturday afternoon at the Hall of Presidents celebrating the 2023/24 seasons and the class of 2024. 

The 2023/24 season brought a number of individual and team milestones as well as a huge step forward as a program. Colgate celebrated its first 20+ win season since the 2003/04 championship team and secured second place in the Patriot League, the Raiders best finish in 20 years. Colgate's head women's basketball coach Ganiyat Adeduntan continued to create a defensive culture as the Raiders finished the season number 1 in the nation for 3-point percentage defense, 24.3 percent, holding opponents to just 96 made 3-pointers all season. Colgate ended the season first in the Patriot League and 15th in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 55.7 points per game and became the first Patriot League team in conference history to advance past the second round of the WNIT.
 
Head coach Ganiyat Adeduntan opened the celebration by thanking her coaching staff, the sports performance staff, the support staff, and the parents. "We all know that this season saw its challenges but one thing I love is that our parents are truly ride or die for Colgate WBB. I am reminded daily of how special our parents are because of the characters of your daughters and how they bounce back and are resilient. I am appreciative that most if not all of you are telling your daughters the same or similar things we're saying: keep showing up, keep doing the work."
 
Adeduntan proceeded to thank the scholar-athletes and express her appreciation for the past season. "To the players, our team. My reason for choosing this profession. I will never get tired of thanking you for allowing me to coach you. There are a lot of things I hope you remember: I hope you never ever forget this season, all the ups and downs…As some may know by now, one of my favorite mantras is to celebrate everything, then get back to work. I will continue to pride myself on being a coach that celebrates everything because it's a reminder to me to never see winning as a relief but as something that brings joy. Winning is not easy. I want it to always bring us joy."
 
Following the remarks and lunch, the award ceremony began. Here are the award winners from the Colgate women's basketball 2023/24 season.
 
Maryan Eniafe won the Academic Award, given to the player with the highest GPA. 
 
Tiasia McMillan took home the 13 Award, given to the player who demonstrates qualities that Colgate looks for such as being active on campus, giving back to the community, and being a model scholar-athlete. McMillan finished the season averaging 10.4 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game 

Madison Schiller garnered the Top Defender Award along with teammate Alexa Brodie. Schiller also earned the Gameday Champion Award which is earned by the player who after each game comes out on top in the basic statistics, such as deflections and 50/50 balls. At the end of the game one player has the most measurable statistics and they win the champion award the day after the game. Schiller played the most minutes on the team averaging 32.8 per game and collected 5.4 rebounds per game, good for second-most on the team.

Alexa Brodie finishes her campaign earning Most Valuable Player honors as well as Top Defender Award alongside Schiller. Brodie attained the MVP honor leading the team in assists with 2.9 assists per game as well as being selected to the All-Patriot Second Team and Patriot League All-Defensive team. Brodie also became the 22nd player in Colgate women's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark. The fifth year set new marks in games played and games started, starting 123 of her 125 career games. Brodie also sits third all-time in assists and second all-time in career free-throw percentage. 

Junior Sophia Diehl enjoyed a standout season and collected a number of awards. Diehl earned Most Improved, Practice Player of the Year, Coaches Award, and Mudita Award. The junior improved in almost every statistical category as well as became a leader on and off the court. The definition of Mudita is having vicarious, unselfish joy in someone else's success. The Mudita Award is given to the player who celebrates the success of their teammates and puts them first. The Coaches Award is earned by the player who consistently demonstrated the true spirit of the program's values and absolutes and is an extension of the coaches on the court. Diehl finishes the season averaging 7.6 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game. 

Adeduntan finished the afternoon by thanking the seniors, Tiasia McMillan and Alexa Brodie for all their hard work and dedication to Colgate over the past years.
 
"I am grateful for the belief you had with me and our coaching staff from the very beginning. You had open arms for change and embraced everything that we threw out at you. You believed in the process, teamwork, and what this program stands for. I hope you tuck deep the tools you learned in your time here and use them in moments of need. I hope you lean into all challenges and adversities knowing that you can and will attack any and everything that comes your way. I hope you remember all of the good. I will always remember you both not just for being great players, but great people. People that I love and I truly enjoyed coaching."