DURHAM, N.H. (12/1/07)—Three Colgate University freshman registered double-digit points, but it was not quite enough as New Hampshire edged the Raiders 75-70 in women’s basketball action at Lundholm Gymnasium. Sami Kozlowski (New Market, Md.) led all players with 23 points and six assists in the setback.

 

New Hampshire hit 10-of-11 of its free throws in the final 2:30 to help earn the five-point victory.  Overall, UNH made 20-of-27 from the line, while Colgate went to the charity stripe just nine times, making 5-of-9.

 

With Colgate holding a 30-26 lead at the break, the second half was a back forth affair that featured nine lead changes and five ties. New Hampshire went ahead for the first time 32-30 with a three-pointer from Ashley Cerniglia early in the second half.

 

Leading by one, 48-47, New Hampshire scored four straight points to take its largest lead of the game, 52-47, at the 8:36 mark. Colgate responded with a 12-2 run over the next 3:33 to go back in front by six at 59-53. The Wildcats roared back with five of the next six points for the slight 62-61 advantage with 2:30 on the clock.

 

Colgate went back in front 66-65 off of a jumper from Kozlowski, but New Hampshire’s foul shooting sealed the victory down the stretch.

 

Rookie Krista Moser (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) added 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Evan Librizzi (Essex Junction, Vt.) had 14 points for the Raiders. Moser also picked up seven boards. Sophomore Katie Garman (Poplar Grove, Ill.) led Colgate on the glass with 10 rebounds. Senior Shevorne Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) came off the bench to contribute seven points and four assists. For the game, Colgate shot a season-best 56.9 percent from the field, including nearly 69 percent in the second half, and 50 percent from long range. The Raiders won the battle of the boards, 35-30.

 

Colgate came out of the gates fast, holding New Hampshire scoreless for the first 6:09 of the contest and racing out to a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats responded with a 5-0 run to make it a two-point game, but the Raiders always had an answer as they scored the next five points for a seven-point advantage, 12-5, at the 12:46 mark.

 

UNH tried to cut the gap but the Raider defense continued to stifle the Wildcat offense and Kozlowski drained a three-pointer to give the Raiders their largest lead of the game at 20-12. Colgate matched that lead again at 30-22 with 1:11 remaining in the half before UNH scored four points in the final 50 seconds to cut the Colgate lead to 30-26 at the break.

 

Colgate shot 46.4 percent in the opening session and an impressive 50 percent from long range.  The Raider defense held the Wildcats to 31 percent shooting and 33 percent from behind the arc. Colgate forced New Hampshire into nine turnovers and got 11 points off of those turnovers.

 

New Hampshire got 23 points from Amy Simpson, while Denise Beliveau added 18 points and Ashley Cerniglia had 16. Beliveau also led the team on the boards with six rebounds. For the game, the Wildcats shot 39.3 percent from the floor and 45.8 from behind the arc.

 

Colgate returns to action on Dec. 5 at No. 18 Auburn. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. eastern time.