HAMILTON, N.Y. –The Colgate University women’s basketball team shot a scoring 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from long range and 54.5 percent (30-of-55) overall from the floor to race past Niagara University 75-47 this evening on Cotterell Court. The Raiders had four players with double figures and were led by sophomore guard Melanie Cargle’s (Trotwood, Ohio) 18 points.

Colgate improves to 2-8 overall with its first home win of the 2005-06 season. The Raiders’ nine three-pointers against the Purple Eagles are the most by Colgate this year. Niagara falls to 1-9 overall, losing its seventh straight game.

The Raiders got off to a slow start, falling behind 6-0 in the opening four minutes. Freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) knocked down a trifecta at the 15:38 mark for Colgate’s first points of the game, sparking a 16-3 run by the Raiders that spanned nearly five minutes. Senior guard Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) hit a pair of three-pointers during the stretch that put Colgate ahead for good.

Curtin finished the night 3-of-5 from long range with 13 points and six rebounds. She has knocked down a three-pointer in each of her past 11 games. Polinski ended the game with 10 points.

Niagara pulled within two, 16-14, but could not get any closer as the Raiders’ defense stifled the Purple Eagles’ offense. The Raiders used another big 16-4 run late in the half to cruise into the break up 38-24.

Colgate shot an astounding 66.7 percent from behind the arc in the opening stanza and 51.9 percent overall, while Niagara finished 8-of-27 (29.6 percent) in the first half. Cargle led all scorers at halftime with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Erika Harris led Niagara at the half with nine points.

The second half was much of the same for the Raiders as they were able to create open looks and build their lead to as many as 28 points. Senior guard Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) had a strong all-around game, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, a career-high matching seven assists, and five steals. Her five thefts vaulted her to 17th on the Patriot League all-time steals list with 216.

Sophomore forward Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) led the charge on the glass with a career-high matching seven boards. Freshman Katherine McGarry (Poland, Ohio) chipped in eight points and a season-high three assists.

The Raiders edged the Purple Eagles on the glass as well, winning the battle 35-34, and forced 23 Niagara turnovers.

Niagara was paced by Sarah Prybyl’s 11 points, while Jennifer Roueche pulled down a game-high eight caroms. The Purple Eagles shot just 28.3 percent (17-of-60) from the floor for the game, including just 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from behind the arc.

Colgate returns to action on Dec. 31, traveling to play No. 24 Boston College at 2 p.m., in Chestnut Hill, Mass.