By John Painter
(West Point, NY – Jan. 23, 2013) Colgate keeps playing them close, but the Raiders have yet to break through in the Patriot League victory column.
Army rode 22 points from Kelsey Minato to a 51-48 victory over Colgate here Wednesday night, the Raiders’ fourth straight conference loss by single digits. Army improved to 15-4 overall and 4-0 in the league, while Colgate is now 6-12 and 0-4.
Jhazmine Lynch and Josie Stockill scored 13 points apiece for Colgate. Lynch scored Colgate’s first nine points after halftime, while the freshman added five rebounds and a season high five blocked shots.
Colgate’s last lead was 33-32, after which Army jumped to its largest advantage of the game at 41-35 with 12:45 remaining. But the Raiders pulled within 47-44 with 6:19 left and then the teams proceeded to foil several chances by the opposition to either push the lead wider or close the gap.
Finally, Catherine Lewis scored to make it 47-46 with 1:32 showing. It was Lewis’ seventh straight point for the Raiders. Minato answered for Army with a pair of free throws, but then Mariah Jones scored her only two of the game with a baseline jumper at 1:02 to make it 49-48.
The Raiders’ defense held, culminating with a Stockell blocked shot, and Colgate has possess with 26 seconds remaining. But Lynch’s drive to the hoop was blocked by Aimee Oertner, and Olivia Schretzman connected on a pair of free throws with 14 second left.
Lynch had a good look at a tying 3-point basket, but it came up short in the closing seconds.
Colgate shot 32 percent from the floor, 19-of-59, including a 4-of-23 night from 3-point distance. The Raiders made 6-of-7 free throw attempts. Army shot 36 percent, 20-of-56, and was 4-of-15 from long range. The Black Knights made 7-of-8 from the line and won the rebound battle, 40-36.
Colgate hosts Navy on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Army 51, Colgate 48
Colgate (6-12, 0-4): Jhazmine Lynch 13, Mariah Jones 2, Catherine Lewis 7, Paige Kriftcher 3, Kelly Reid 4, Missy Repoli 4, Josie Stockill 13, Carole Harris 2. Totals: 19-6-48.
Armuy (15-4, 4-0): Olivia Schretzman 8, Aimee Oertner 15, Jen Hazlett 2, Kelsey Minato 22, Anna Simmers 4. Totals: 20-7-51.
3-Point Field Goals: Colgate 4 (Lynch, Lewis, Repoli, Kriftcher); Army 4 (Minato 4).
Halftime: Army 28-26.