Playing 4Kay Boosts Women’s Basketball to the Top
Women’s basketball broke their losing streak against Lehigh this weekend with a score of 77-71. This was an important game for the Raiders, as their last game against Lehigh resulted in a loss after double overtime. The women played in honor of former North Carolina coach Kay Yow, who was a cancer victim, in the “Play 4Kay” game and with this victory the players made both the organization and fans proud, satiating the thirst for a third Patriot League win this season. First-year guard Missy Repoli played an amazing game, leading the team with 17 points.
Saturday’s success did not stop with Repoli, however, as all five starters scored in double-digits and senior guard Kelly Korkowski had her first double-double of the season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Colgate rose out of their rebound rut, out-rebounding the competition 40-30. The women maintained the lead from the moment they climbed ahead at 17-10 within the first ten minutes of the game. Their determination to work together as a team proved successful, as they improved on some of their most noticeable problems and were able to achieve a win.
Although Lehigh opened the scoring, senior center Trisha Oakes responded with a lay-up to tie the game at two. The Mountain Hawks went on a 6-0 run soon after to lead with 17:13 left in the game. The Raiders were determined to chip away to even the score again and responded with an incredible 15-2 run to take the game into their own hands with 13:11 left. Colgate was able to stay on top for the rest of the half, securing a 38-28 advantage. Repoli netted a lucky 13, and senior guard Candice Green contributed 11 of her own.
First-year guard Mariah Jones started the team off with incredible spark to inspire a 12-8 run. Lehigh fought back the best that they could, finding success midway through the half with a 19-13 run to cut the deficit as the clock ran down to 7:46 left in the tilt. The Mountain Hawks continued to fight until the end, but the Raiders shut them down and hit a few key baskets to take a 77-71 victory at the end of the day.
Although the game on Saturday was successful in its own right, the fundraiser for the “Play 4Kay” event raised only $125 online, far from their goal of $5000. The “Play 4Kay” organization is important to women’s basketball across the nation.Kay Yow is honored through these annual events. Coach Yow struggled with breast cancer throughout her life, and the “Pink Game” is something Colgate basketball likes to support and partake in. The men’s basketball team is hosting their own “Pink Game” this week, wearing pink shoes to show their support for this important cause.
On Wednesday the women traveled to West Point to face off against Army. The last time the teams met was back in January and resulted in a 61-54 loss for the Raiders. They will then play Navy at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Contact Katie Rydell at [email protected].