HAMILTON – Alexa Brodie scored 21 of her career-high 25 points in the second half helping the Raiders overcome a 19-point deficit on their way to a dramatic 69-64 quarterfinal win over seventh-seeded Navy on Monday night at Cotterell Court.

Colgate advances to its first Patriot League semifinal game since 2013 and will meet Boston University at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Cotterell Court with a trip to the championship on the line.

After hitting her 1,000th point from the free-throw line just two minutes into the game, Brodie went on to hit 17 of her 18 attempts from the charity stripe, a new Colgate single-game record. The most important three shots came from the line one minute into the fourth. Brodie was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and stepped up to the line nailing three consecutive free throws tying the game at 52.

Amarah Streiff hit a second chance 3-pointer with 4:57 left in the game after a hustle play by Madison Schiller to get the rebound, kicking it out to Streiff who drilled a triple putting Colgate ahead 55-53, its first lead since 4:40 left in the first quarter.

Taylor Golembiewski netted her 1,000th career point and it couldn't have come at a better time. After a missed jumper, Schiller picked the pocket of the Navy ball carrier into the hands of Streiff. Streiff missed her layup and Golembiewski came through to clean up with a lay-in giving the Raiders a 57-53 lead with 2:04 left in the game.

Christina Midgette's put-back and one with 53 seconds left on the clock gave Colgate a six-point lead and was enough for the Raiders to hold on to a 69-64 victory.

COACH ADEDUNTAN'S COMMENTS

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy. We knew we were going to get everybody's best shot. Offensively we were fine, but I didn't feel like we were being tough enough or aggressive enough defensively and we needed to turn it up defensively. So we tried a couple different things, tried to get them a little bit off rhythm and it worked. My kids stayed confident, we have been battle tested. For us to stay resilient through this, that's the difference maker. 

"We were allowing them to just do what they wanted. Navy was hitting mid-range, there was nothing hard for them. Our toughness needed to go up and we are a defensive-minded team. We allowed them to score 44 points in the first half, that's not us. What we did in the second half, that was us. But I couldn't be prouder, I love these kids, I love my team. I have always been a believer, but they make me more of a believer every single day with the way they show up."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Navy shot 83.3 percent (10-for-12) from the floor and 75 percent (3-for-4) from behind the arc in the first quarter taking a 24-16 lead.

The Midshipmen continued to score almost every possession early in the second quarter going on a 14-4 run to take a 43-24 lead with 2:17 left in the first half. Streiff hit a three with 30 seconds left in the second quarter to cut into the Navy lead leaving Colgate behind, 44-29 at halftime.

The Raiders came out ready to play tough defense in the second half as Colgate held Navy to just six points in the third quarter. After stopping Navy's first possession, Brodie hit a fadeaway jumper to cut the deficit to 13. Tiasia McMillan finished a tough layup with the foul and hit the old-fashioned three-point play giving the Raiders much needed momentum.

After a Navy bucket by Zanai Barnett-Gay, the Raiders went on a 9-0 run to get within four points with 2:28 to play in the third frame. Streiff hit two free throws before dishing it to Schiller on the next possession cutting the Navy lead to single digits. Brodie finished off the run with a jumper off another offensive rebound by Schiller. Trailing by 15 at half, Colgate sliced the deficit all the way down to 50-46 after three quarters. 

Colgate's defense continued to be the story of the game in the fourth quarter holding Navy to just 31.2 percent shooting (5-for-16). Brodie equalled Navy's team total in points in the fourth quarter netting 14 points, highlighted by drilling 12 consecutive free throws to seal the deal.

UP NEXT
The Raiders take on third-seeded Boston University for a spot in the Patriot League championship on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cotterell Court. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Tickets for the semifinal matchup will be available Tuesday, Mar. 12 at 1 p.m.