HAMILTON, N.Y. (12/06/2006)—The University of Vermont had four players in double figures as it dropped Colgate University, 84-53, in women’s basketball action this evening on Cotterell Court. The Catamounts were led by May Kotsopoulos and Sofia Iwobi’s 14 points apiece.

 

The Raiders were led by junior forward Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. The loss puts Colgate a 1-6 overall, while Vermont improves to 6-2 on the year.

 

Both teams struggled to find their shooting touch early in the game, combining for just six total points in the opening four minutes. Colgate senior Carly Brescacin (Tecumseh, Ontario) cut the lead to four, 10-6, at the 12:37 mark, but the Catamounts responded with a 12-3 run over the next five minutes to go in front 21-9.

 

Vermont maintained the lead, pushing its advantage to as many as 15 points in the opening frame. Gillard dropped in a layup at the end of the half to send the Raiders into the locker room down 13 at 35-22.

 

Colgate shot just 32 percent (8-25) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes and just 25 percent (1-4) from long range.

 

The Catamounts came out of the break firing on all cylinders and increased its lead to 29 points with an 18-4 run in the opening five minutes of the second session. The Raiders improved its shooting to 40 percent in the second half, but it could not make a dent in the Vermont lead.

 

Freshman TaHara Williams (Mason, Ohio) added nine points, while junior Shevorne Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had eight. Sophomore Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) pulled down a game-high nine boards. Vermont forced Colgate into 34 turnovers and finished with 19 steals. Colgate held a slight advantage in rebounds 37-35.

 

Colgate hits the road for its next contest on Dec. 9. The Raiders travel to Durham, N.H. to take on New Hampshire at 1 p.m., at Lundholm Gymnasium.