HAMILTON – Five Raiders landed in double figures, including
Kaila Francis, who made her first collegiate start and recorded a double-double, to help Colgate top local SUNY Morrisville in the team's season opener, 91-61.
Scoring Leaders
Ella Mahaffey set the tone of the game, shooting lights out from beyond the arc, going 5-for-9 to finish with 17 points in the home opener. Seniors Ella Meabon and Laila Hankerson combined for 29 points, while Francis and Fleur Gamal each posted 12 points in their debuts as Raiders. Francis also grabbed 10 rebounds to earn her first career double-double.
Moments of the Game
Colgate showed its versatility early, scoring from all parts of the floor, including two 3-pointers from Mia Brockmeyer and Hankerson. The 15-0 scoring run also included three jumpers, a layup and a free throw as the Raiders built their lead in the first three and a half minutes.
The Mustangs converted on jumpers late in the quarter, but a pair of jumpers from Meabon put her at nine points in the game, helping Colgate extend its lead to 21-9 after the first 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, Morrisville started finding ways to score, but Mahaffey's hot hand led Colgate to nine points on three 3-pointers in three consecutive possessions as the Raiders maintained their lead, 37-23.
Morrisville scored seven more points before halftime, but an and-one layup from Gamal and free throws from Meabon and Francis gave Colgate an 11-point cushion heading into the break, 41-30.
Colgate found its rhythm to start the third quarter as the Raiders outscored the Mustangs 8-2, converting two baskets in the paint from Meabon and Francis and adding four made free throws.
The hot-shooting streak continued as Colgate outscored Morrisville 31-22 in the third quarter, knocking down five 3-pointers. Amarah Streiff and Mahaffey each connected on a pair, while Molly Corcoran joined in on the action as the Raiders built their largest lead of the game heading into the fourth, 72-52.
The Mustangs found success at the foul line, converting their free throws, but Colgate's 13-0 run helped seal the team's first victory of the season, 91-61.
Stats Breakdown
For the game, Colgate shot 43.8 percent overall (35-80) and 27.8 percent from beyond the arc (10-36). The Raiders' best shooting quarter came in the third, as Colgate shot 73.3 percent from the floor (11-15), 62.5 percent from 3-point range (5-8) and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. The Mustangs shot 33.3 percent from the floor.
Statistically, Colgate dominated in points in the paint, outscoring Morrisville 40-20. The Raiders' bench also made significant contributions, scoring 30 of the team's 91 points compared to just six points from the Mustangs' bench.
Notes
- The last time the Raiders posted a 90-point game was in 2024, in a 92-51 win over Union.
- The last time Colgate had five players finish in double figures was in the team's 97-22 win over Keuka in 2023.
- Francis recorded her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
- Gamal, Francis, Brockmeyer, T'Maea Eteuati and Corcoran all made their debuts for the Raiders.
Up Next
Colgate (1-0) has a week to prepare as the Raiders host Binghamton on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Cotterell Court. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Â
