FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Greco
PHONE: (315) 228-7860
Dec. 7, 2002

Game Statistics

CORNELL, N.Y. –Senior Ali Hanson (Norwalk, Iowa) was named the MVP of the Cornell Tournament as she lifted the Colgate women’s basketball team over the host Big Red, 76-64 at Newman Arena on Saturday evening. Junior Malissa Burke (Traverse City, Mich.) also garnered all-Tournament honors for the Raiders. With the win, Colgate pulls its record to an even 3-3 while Cornell falls to 3-4.

The first half was tightly contested early on with five ties in the first seven minutes before the Big Red went on a 10-0 run to take a 22-13 lead with 8:51 remaining. The ‘Gate responded with a fast-break lay-up by freshman Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.), a three-point play by freshman Devon Warwick (Amesbury, Mass.) and a clutch lay-up by sophomore Malaina Lagzdins (Burlington, Ontario) that cut the Cornell lead to 24-20 with 7:20 left in the half. The Big Red stretched that lead to 40-29 with 1:04 remaining but Colgate scored five points in the final minute to make the score 40-34 at the intermission.

The second half began as a back-and-fourth battle before Allison Lipinski (Garfield Heights, Ohio) hit two foul shots and then a jumper to tie the score at 46 apiece with 11:45 remaining in the game. The Big Red stormed back, taking a five point lead, 56-51 at 7:56. After exchanging baskets, a lay up by freshman Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) and a steal by Hanson, followed by two made free throws, brought Colgate back to even at 60 apiece with 4:41 left in the game. The remainder of the game was dominated by Colgate as they went on a 12-0 run in the final 3:33 with Curtin scoring seven of her 15 points during that span.

The Raiders were led by Curtin and Burke who netted 15 points apiece. Curtin had the first double-double of her career, adding 12 rebounds to go along with three steals. Warwick also had her first career double-double with a 13-point, 14-rebound performance. Hanson had another strong game, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Cornell was led by three players in double figures. Lynell Davis led all scorers with 19 points while Karen Force and Katie Romey had 13 points each.

The Raiders are back in action next weekend as they travel to Ames, Iowa to face Centenary College in the opening round of the Iowa State Tournament on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.