Box Score

WASHINGTON D.C. (02/12/2006)—Colgate University senior Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) had four steals to become Colgate’s all-time steals leader and led the Raiders to a crucial 72-63 Patriot League victory at American University on Feb. 12. Ballard surpasses Sarah Cashman for the No. 1 spot on Colgate’s career list with 265 steals. Freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) and sophomore Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio) paced the Colgate offense with 23 points apiece. Polinski’s 23 points was a career-high.

Trailing 37-33 at the break, Colgate used a pair of second-half runs to earn a key nine-point victory over the Eagles. The Raiders came out of the locker room on fire, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers to go ahead 45-41.

American responded with a 9-3 run to go back in front 50-48, but a 12-2 burst by the Raiders put them ahead for good at 60-52. The Eagles climbed to within, 62-60, but could not get any closer as Colgate knocked down crucial free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

Senior Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) added 14 points for Colgate. The Raiders shot 43.9 percent for the game, while American shot 44.2 percent. Polinski pulled down a team-high six boards.

Freshman Sahar Nusseibeh led the Eagles with 13 points, including 11 in the second half. Tish Curry and Pam Stanfield both finished with 12 points. Curry collected a team-high eight rebounds.

The opening 20 minutes was a close-fought battle featuring five ties and six lead changes. American had the largest lead of the half at six points, while Colgate’s largest advantage was two points.

The Eagles used a 9-3 run that spanned six minutes in the beginning of the frame to jump ahead 17-11. Raider freshman Polinski put Colgate back in front, scoring nine of the game’s next 11 points.

American used an 11-4 burst over the waning minutes of the half to go ahead again by six, 30-24. Colgate sophomore guard Cargle pulled the Raiders within one, 34-33, with a baseline jumper with 18 second left, but American’s Pam Stanfield closed the half with three points when she knocked down a 15-foot jumper and the ensuing foul shot.

Polinski led all scorers at the half with 12 points, while Cargle had 10 points. The Raiders shot 39.4 percent from the field, while American knocked down 51.9 percent of its chances, including 60 percent from long range.