On November 21, the Colgate Raiders Women’s Basketball played their home opener against the Canisius Golden Griffins. Standing at 0-3, the Raiders looked to snap out of their early season frustration and deliver on the preseason hopes. They would have a second test during their Thanksgiving Break against the Columbia Lions on November 25.

The Raiders dominated the Golden Griffins in the first game, winning 67-53 and snapping their three-game skid. The Raiders and Golden Griffins enjoyed a competitive, back-and-forth affair until the 6:35 minute mark of the first quarter, after which the Raiders pulled ahead for good. The game had two ties and two lead changes early, but the Golden Griffins were essentially put away by the end of the second quarter. Leading 39-30 at half-time, the Raiders added onto their lead with an 18-7 point third quarter. The Golden Griffins managed to put a 14-2 run together late in the fourth quarter, by which point the game was already too far out of reach.

“The start of the first quarter, the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter we were really good. I didn’t like how we closed the game. We have to be stronger; we have to learn how to finish things out,” Raiders Head Coach Bill Cleary said.

Senior forward Summer King paced the team in points, racking up 15 on 6-14 shooting, to go along with three blocks and five rebounds. Senior forward Mylah Chandler had a strong game as well, hit- ting four of nine shots for nine points, to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal.

“We had a big night from Chandler. She’s starting to get that confidence offensively, which I like seeing. But she’s so strong for us defensively for us,” Cleary said.

The Raiders followed their home- opening win with another home game, this time against the Columbia Lions. Winning 84-71, the Raiders have effectively put their early season struggles to rest. Against the Lions, the Raiders turned it on late. On offense, they shot 30-65 from the field, 6-13 from three and 18-23 from the line. On the defensive side of the game, the Raiders held the Lions in check from the field, limiting them to 24-66 from the field, but allowed 12-34 from three. The Raiders scored the first 11 points in the game, but the Lions then came back to take a 17-16 lead after the first quarter. The Lions then increased their lead further, going into the half up 36-25.

The Raiders once again opened the half scoring the first 11, tying up the game at 36-36. They built up a 45-38 lead, but the Lions once again came back to lead 53-50 heading into the fourth quarter. The Raiders, though, were ready in the fourth. With a 34-18 quarter to close the game, the Raiders were able to pull out a lopsided win from what had been a competitive and tight game.

Colgate Athletics as well, racking up 20 points on seven of 13 shooting, five boards and three steals. “That’s what Thompson can do. She’s a game-changer and we sorely missed her last year. She’s our mojo and she brings the confidence. When I tell you the heart that she has and the love of the game that she has and the love that she has for her teammates—she’s so deserving. She really is,” Cleary said.

Contact Ignacio Villar at [email protected].