Colgate defeats Lafayette 77-85

Colgate Outlasts Lafayette in Thrilling Conference Showdown

In a back-and-forth affair, the visiting Colgate Raiders edged out the home-standing Lafayette Leopards 85-77 on New Year's Eve, handing the Mountain Hawks their first conference defeat.

The game saw both teams trade blows throughout the contest, with neither able to gain a significant advantage until late in the fourth quarter. At one point, Lafayette held a four-point lead, but Colgate responded by outscoring the Leopards 10-0 over the final three minutes of regulation.

The Turning Point

The pivotal moment came at the 5:30 mark of the fourth quarter, when Colgate's star guard hit a crucial three-pointer to put the Raiders up for good. This was part of an 8-0 run by Colgate, which saw them score nine points in a span of just over two minutes.

Top Performer

Colgate's leading scorer was junior guard [Name], who finished with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from three. The guard played a crucial role in the Raiders' victory, scoring eight of his points during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch.

Game Stats

The advanced statistics paint an interesting picture. Lafayette's true shooting percentage was 57.2%, compared to Colgate's 60.3%. However, it was Colgate's strong free throw shooting that ultimately proved decisive, as they converted 24-of-33 attempts from the line, while Lafayette went just 19-of-28.

Conclusion

The victory propels Colgate into sole possession of first place in the conference standings, while Lafayette falls to second. The win marks a significant improvement for the Raiders, who had struggled on the road this season prior to this outing. With their strong performance, Colgate has proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the league.

The loss serves as a wake-up call for Lafayette, which must regroup and refocus ahead of its next challenge.