CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Colgate fell to Illinois 84-65, at the State Farm Center on Friday night.
First-year Andrew Alekseyenko led the Raiders on both ends of the court, recording a career-best 21 point game and collecting six rebounds.
Jalen Cox contributed 12 points in the paint, while Sam Wright netted nine, including one three-pointer from beyond the arc. Senior Brady Cummins found his rhythm from downtown, shooting two-for-two to add six points to Colgate's total.
As a team, Colgate shot 41.9 percent from the field (26–62) and 88.9 percent (8–9) from the foul line. 32 of their 65 points came from within the paint while the bench contributed 17 points.
COACH LANGEL'S COMMENTS
"Illinois is a really good team. They are skilled, disciplined and play well together. Most significantly tonight, however, they played the game with extreme physicality. I cannot remember coaching against a first year player with Mirkovic's physical disposition. 27 pts and 21 rebounds in a college game is extraordinary. Obviously, we are not built like Illinois but we are going to have to find a way to rebound the ball better if we want to be the team we can be. The guys fought hard and did lots of things that show positive signs of being a good team. Definitely some things to take away from the game and learn from."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Raiders kept the game competitive in the first half, taking the lead twice in the early minutes. Colgate initiated the half with an early push, highlighted by Cox's early jumper that evened the score. Alekseyenko made a significant impact with a fast-break dunk after a steal by Cummins, giving the Raiders a brief 4–2 lead.
Colgate scored seven unanswered points against Illinois, sparked by Cox's jumper and followed by Alekseyenko's first made-three and jumper to trail by one, 19–18. A pair of free throws from Cox and Josh Ahayere, followed by Alekseyenko's lay-up had the score tied at 28.
The Fighting Illini managed to pull away, outscoring the Raiders 10–2 in the final three minutes of the first half to take an 11-point, 41–30 lead into halftime.
Cummins ignited a response with a 3-pointer within the first minute, starting a short Raider run. Alekseyenko added a layup and free throw sequence, cutting into Illinois's lead. Ayomi Odetoyinbo provided a late spark for the Raiders off a put-back dunk, but the team was unable to overcome Illinois's offensive success. The Fighting Illini secured the victory 84–65 to maintain their undefeated record.
NOTES
- Alekseyenko recorded new career highs in points (21), field goals made (8), three-pointers made (1), and rebounds (6).
- Cummins shot a flawless 2–2 from beyond the arc.
- Colgate matched its season-best free-throw percentage of 88.9 percent.
- The Raiders fell to 0–6 in the overall series against the Fighting Illini.
UP NEXT
Colgate (1–3) will play nearby Siena College at MVP Arena, with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday.
