HAMILTON, N.Y. (02/07/2006)—Colgate University senior Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) made a career-high 14 free throws and finished with 25 points to lead the Raiders to an 80-71 victory over Lafayette this evening in women’s basketball action. The Raiders improve to 6-16 overall and 4-5 in Patriot League play, while the Leopards fall to 7-15 and 2-7.

Ballard shot a Colgate and Cotterell Court record 21 free throws in the victory and picked up a game-high six steals, pushing her within two of breaking the all-time career record of 262. Her 14 makes from the charity stripe ties the Cotterell Court record set in 1997 by Megan Gibbons.

The first half was a half of runs that featured seven lead changes and two ties. Colgate led by as many as eight, while Lafayette’s largest lead was five in the opening 20 minutes. Trailing by one with 1:42 on the clock, the Raiders ended the first frame with a 6-0 run for a 35-30 advantage at the break.

Lafayette came out of the locker room on fire, going on a 14-2 run in the opening seven minutes to jump back in front, 46-37. The Leopards continued their sizzling shooting over the next four minutes to earn their biggest lead of the game, 60-47, with 9:59 left on the clock.

Sophomore forward Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) knocked down just her second career three-pointer on the next possession, sparking a 21-0 Colgate run that spanned 5:42 and put the Raiders in front 68-60 with 4:17 left to play. Colgate played stifling defense during that stretch forcing Lafayette into seven turnovers and six missed shots. Lafayette scored just 11 points in the final 9:59 of the game.

The Raiders got double-digit scoring performances from freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) and sophomore Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio). Polinski contributed 17 points and picked up a game-high nine rebounds, while Cargle had 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Colgate shot 44.9 percent from the floor for the game and 78.9 percent (30-of-38) from the free throw line. The Raiders dominated the boards, outrebounding Lafayette 33-19, including 17-6 on the offensive glass.

Lafayette had four players with double figures and was led by Kara Stetler’s 17 points. Kristin Doherty chipped in 16 points, making 4-of-7 from long range, while Lindsay Myers and Vanessa Van De Venter both had 13. Myers pulled down a team-best four rebounds.

The Leopards shot 57.4 percent from the field, including a sizzling 60 percent from behind the arc for the game.

Colgate hits the road on Feb. 12, traveling to American University for a crucial Patriot League matchup. The game is scheduled to tip off at 12 p.m., and will be televised by CSTV as part of the Patriot League television package.