This past weekend, the Colgate men’s basketball team took on the Binghamton Bearcats in Vestal, N.Y. The Raiders unfortunately received their fourth loss of the season, in yet another early season, non-conference matchup. The Bearcats started the game with a quick 7-2 lead. However, at 13:05 the Raiders were able to tie up the game due to junior center Dana Batt’s layup and back to back three pointers from senior forward Jordan Swopshire and  sophomore center Will Rayman. 

The Raiders then advanced a lead to 20-16 with a 10-4 streak and 7:47 left in the period. Binghamton was able to pull back within one point after senior forward Willie Rodriguez hit his third three pointer of the game. By the time the clock hit 4:08 left in the period, the Raiders were able to grab the lead, 33-21, after first-year guard Jordan Burns hit eleven straight points. The Bearcats answered back by tallying 13 points before the half came to a close, but the Raiders still held onto the 40-34 lead at halftime. 

In the first eight minutes of the second half, both teams traded points as the Raiders held onto a six point lead. The Raiders reached an eight point lead with 12 minutes left to play. The Bearcats then went on an 11-5 scoring streak off of junior forward Thomas Bruce dunking back-to-back. The Raiders’ lead tightened to just 56-54 with just under six minutes to play. Binghamton scored 13 straight points, taking the lead, 67-58, for the first time since the opening 10 minutes of the game. Rayman and Swopshire both responded with three-pointers, which brought the Raiders back within six points at 71-65. Binghamton was able to run with the 76-65 win after finishing out the game with free throws. 

While the Bearcats were able to lock down their fourth straight win, the Raiders dropped to 3-4 overall. The Raiders finished the game with a 42.1 shooting percentage while the Bearcats finished with a 44.8 shooting percentage. Colgate had a strong 65.4 shooting percentage in the first half from the field, but unfortunately could not maintain it, as they recorded a dismal 22.6 shooting percentage from the floor during the second half. The Bearcats out hustled the Raiders in rebounds, leading with a 39-29 edge. Colgate had 10 three-pointers, five in each half. Rayman tallied a total of 18 points for the Raiders, while Burns added 16 points, with 15 occurring in the first half of play. 

Colgate Raiders senior guard Jordan Robertson reflected on the game.

“It was a disappointing loss and a game we feel like we gave away. But it’s something we can learn from and continue to look at and think about to make sure we do not make the same mistakes again in the future.”

The Raiders continue their season away against Syracuse at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 9. Colgate has won all three home games thus far this season, while they have fallen short in all four away contests they have played this season. Hopefully the Raiders can shake this pattern and put up a win on the road this upcoming week. 

Contact Lexi Luthringer at lluthringer@colgate.edu.