Courtesy of GoColgateRaiders.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the second straight season Colgate starts its Patriot League slate 2-0 after defeating American 56-37 here Sunday afternoon.
The 37 points allowed by Colgate was its lowest allowed in the Matt Langel era. It was also the fewest points given up since an 82-34 win over Division III Elmira on Dec. 6, 2006.
The win marked Colgate’s second all-time win in Bender Arena and was the second time in the last three years the Raiders took down American on its home court. Prior to the 2013-14 season, the Raiders were 0-15.
Colgate’s 19-point victory marked its largest over American for the second consecutive season. Last year the Raiders defeated the Eagles 59-43. The only other double-digit win over the Eagles came during the 2005 season.
Colgate quickly jumped out to the 8-0 lead following two 3-pointers from Sean O’Brien less than four minutes in.
After the Eagles had cut the advantage to 10-5, the Raiders responded with a 6-0 run to create their largest lead of the half with 8:27 remaining.
American would not go away, finishing the period on a 15-7 run, including a deep trey with 10 seconds left, to make it a 23-20 Colgate lead at the break.
A 3-pointer from American’s Delante Jones tied the game up at 25-all just one minute into the second half. But Colgate answered with an 11-2 run to extend its edge back to 36-27 with under 12 minutes to play.
American pulled to within 38-32 but two 3-pointers from Tom Rivard during the Raiders’ next two possessions sealed the deal for Colgate as it maintained a double-figure lead the rest of the way.
Rivard and Austin Tillotson led the way with 12 and 15 points, respectively. Rookie Dana Batt matched his career-best with five rebounds, while three other Colgate players pulled down four each.
The Raiders have a quick turnaround as they travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, on Wednesday for another Patriot League contest with Holy Cross. That game is slated for 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Patriot League Network.
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