Coming off of their loss against Loyola on January 22, Colgate women’s basketball played a strong game against American on January 28. Despite the Raiders’ best efforts, they ultimately fell to American by a score of 73-63.

Colgate dominated the first quarter against American holding the lead for the entire quarter. The Raiders scored the game’s first seven points and further widened their lead with a three-pointer by sophomore guard Mackenzie Carroll which put Colgate up 10-2 with 7:13 left in the first quarter of action. American was able to pull within 17-16 but the Raiders went on a 7-2 run to finish the quarter in front, 24-18. American took its first lead of the game in the second quarter with a score of 27-26. Though the Eagles tried to hold onto their lead for the remainder of the quarter, a pair of layups by first-year guard Rachel Thompson closed out the half 33-33. 

Colgate’s offense continued to lose momentum in the third quarter, scoring only eight points — its season-low. However, the Raiders were still able to pull to 45-41 late in the third, off a three-pointer by sophomore guard Chelsey Koren from the top of the key. American then widened its lead once again, scoring the final five points and leading 50-41 heading into the fourth. In the fourth quarter Carroll scored yet another three-point basket via traditional means that narrowed the American lead to 54-48 with 7:48 remaining.

Despite the Raiders’ comeback, the Eagles responded adding another eleven points to the board. American gained a lead of 65-48 which it held for the remaining five minutes of the game.

Despite the Colgate loss, there were many Raider highlights in the game as well. Senior guard Katie Curtis scored 20 points for the fourth time this season and leads the team with 16 games in double figures and seven games as the top scorer. Curtis also led the team in both assists and steals. She has had the top assist tally in ten games this year.  

Junior guard Kateri Stone, with two three-pointers, was able to up her season total to 38 points, closing in on the 45 necessary to crack the top ten scorers for Colgate this season. Rachel Thompson came close to her season high with 10 rebounds, her second time with double figure boards. 

In light of the Raider loss, Colgate head coach Bill Cleary shared his appreciation for the skill and performance of both American’s team and coach.

“American really got after it. We cut it to six and then that 11-0 run really put the nail in the coffin. Coach Gebbia does a great job and they play very well as a team, without question,” Cleary said.

Colgate is now 6-14 overall and 3-6 in the Patriot League, while American improved to 9-11 and 6-3. Colgate hosts Holy Cross this coming Wednesday,

February 1, at Cotterell Court at 7 p.m.