Over Thanksgiving break, the Colgate women’s basketball team traveled to California to participate in the Thanksgiving Basketball Classic hosted by Cal State Northridge. The women played against host Cal State Northridge and after, participated in the consolation game against UCLA. Although both games produced unfavorable outcomes, losing to Cal State Northridge 60-71 and UCLA 48-68, the women still remained optimistic looking ahead to their game against San Diego. Unfortunately, after a hard fight against San Diego with a final overtime score of 73-75, the Raiders lost and returned home from the Golden State.

This season, junior guard Jhazmine Lynch has been putting up substantial points to keep the Raiders in the fight on close games. She totaled 21 points against San Diego, and although it wasn’t enough to keep the women ahead, they stayed together as a team and fought until the end. Lynch has been assuming responsibility and has been holding the team together in tight situations, trying her hardest to help the Raiders collect a victory.

“Our record is very deceiving,” sophomore Catherine Lewis said. “Despite the outcomes of our past games, we have really been coming together as a team and doing some really great things. Playing UCLA, a top 25 team, was a great experience and I think it helped our team see our true potential.”

First-year guard Mariah Jones also commented on the cohesiveness of the team, optimistically looking to the future and hoping for some wins.

“We have had a chance to win every game we have played and we are

continuing to gel more as a team. We are looking forward to our first win. We have all been working very hard the entire year, so now we just have to put all the pieces together to get the first win.”

The Raiders’s record thus far seems deceiving. Although their games haven’t ended favorably, half of their loses have been by fewer than two baskets. They are also averaging more blocks, free throws and three pointers per game than their opponents. Even though their turnover record is slightly higher than their competitors, statistically where they are falling devastatingly short is in rebounds. Losing on average by over 10 points per game, but still staying competitive until the last minutes of play is taking a toll on the Raider’s confidence, and it is crucial for them to find the missing pieces in their game play to start winning.

“I think we are ready to make a push in the next few games and pick up a few wins,” Lewis said. “With the leadership of Coach Hays, our assistant coaches and our seniors, I think we will be very competitive in our remaining non-league games as well as in Patriot League play.”

Senior guards Candice Green and Kelly Korkowski, along with center Tricia Oakes and forward Holly Haverstein are leading the team and are creating a unified court. 

With a game against Niagara at home on December 2, the women are eager for a win. Niagara’s record of 1-5 leaves the Raiders hopeful.