Women’s Basketball Edged by American, 71-64
Emily Braseth and Megan Ballard lead Raiders 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Greco
PHONE: (315) 228-7860
February 23, 2003

Game Statistics 

HAMILTON, N.Y. – Despite leading the majority of the second half, the Colgate women’s basketball team was unable to hold off American, dropping its final home contest, 71-64 on Sunday afternoon on Cotterell Court.   

Down 17-12, with 10:34 left in the first half, Colgate sophomore Emily Braseth (E. Grand Rapids, Mich.) made a lay up before senior Ali Hanson (Norwalk, Iowa) came up with a key steal and converted on a three-point play to even the score at 17 apiece. The Raiders would trail only once more in the half, 23-22 at the 6:09 mark but a three-pointer by freshman Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) put Colgate back on top, 25-23. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way as the Raiders took the slight 32-29 lead into the break.

Colgate led the majority of the second stanza, going up by seven, 56-49 as freshman Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) drained two free throws with 8:53 left in the game. With the lead 58-52 and 7:05 left on the clock, American began a 7-0 run that would give them the 59-58 advantage at the 3:59 mark. Colgate regained the lead momentarily as junior Malissa Burke (Traverse City, Mich.) converted two free throws and made a lay up the next time down the floor to give the Raiders their last lead, 62-59 with 3:17 left in the game. The Eagles used a 12-2 run over the final three minutes to take the 71-64 victory.

Colgate (8-16, 3-9) was led by Braseth and Ballard with 16 points apiece. Ballard’s total was a career-high and came on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor, including a 4-for-5 effort from three point range. Ballard also registered four rebounds, three assists and three steals in the contest. Burke added 15 points for the Raiders while sophomore Leandra Fuller chipped in eight and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

American (15-10, 8-4) was led by Chanel Hunt’s 14-point, 11-rebound double-double while Kaitlin Schuyler, Joanna Barnes and Chanel Spriggs added 14 points each for the Eagles.

The Raiders play their final regular season games as they travel to Pa., to face Lehigh on Friday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m., and Bucknell on Sunday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m.