NEWARK, N.J. (12/9/09) -   Sophomore Tricia Oakes (Evergreen, Colo.) led the Colgate women's basketball with 12 points and two blocks as the Raiders fell to NJIT, 52-41, at the Fleisher Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.

 

Junior Sami Kozlowski (New Market, Md.) collected a team-high seven rebounds and added eight points for the Raiders while Patriot League Rookie of the Week Jhazmine Lynch (San Diego, Calif.) had nine points and two rebounds.

 

The two teams traded baskets throughout the first half of play, during which Oakes posted nine of her 12 total points.  The half featured six lead changes and five ties as neither team was able to gain a substantial advantage.  The Highlanders earned a one point lead off a pair of free throws from Jessica Gerald to head into the half-time break, 17-16.  

 

The Raiders kept the score close in the opening minutes of the second half, but NJIT went on a 9-0 run to claim nine point lead, 28-19, with just less than 15 minutes left in the game. Colgate came within four points, 34-30, after Kozlowski hit a field goal, but they weren't able to close the gap as the Highlanders went on to win by an 11 point margin, 52-41.

 

Jessica Gerald had a game-high 13 points for NJIT, while Kehinde Oyelola led the Highlanders in rebounding with 10 boards.  

 

Colgate shot 29.5 percent (18-61) from the field and 42.9 percent (3-7) from the free throw line.  NJIT finished on 33.3 percent (19-57) shooting and were 10-17 from the charity stripe.  The teams were tied with 43 boards apiece. 

 

The Raiders will be back in action this Saturday, Dec. 12, when they take on St. Francis (N.Y.) at 2 p.m. in Brooklyn, N.Y.