Bucknell University
(11-4,PL 2-0)
Colgate
(5-9,PL 1-1)
Bucknell Fights Off Colgate Comeback, Prevails 71-69 for Eighth Straight Win
1/12/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2005
HAMILTON, N.Y. - Charles Lee scored 19 points, including four critical free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game, and Bucknell held off a resilient Colgate squad 71-69 Wednesday night at Cotterell Court. The Bison won their eighth straight, matching their longest winning streak under Pat Flannery, and improved to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League.
Andrew Zidar scored 21 points and Alvin Reed scored all 16 of his points in the second half for Colgate (5-9, 1-1), which cut a 21-point deficit to as little as two late in the game. Kyle Roemer scored 15 on 5 of 6 3-point shooting.
Chris McNaughton added 15 points and Kevin Bettencourt had 13 for the Bison, who won their fifth in a row on the road.
Bucknell shot 56.8 percent from the field. Colgate shot 48.2 percent and stayed in the game with 11 3-pointers.
A 13-0 run just past halfway through the opening period seemingly sent the Bison on their way. Leading 17-12, Darren Mastropaolo scrapped for a loose ball under the basket and converted the layup to ignite the run. Chris McNaughton freed himself for an easy layup with a neat spin move at the free-throw line, then he scored again on a short hook shot to put Bucknell ahead 23-12.
Kevin Bettencourt followed with five quick points, first on a breakaway dunk after an Abe Badmus steal, then on a 3-pointer after a skip pass from John Clark. Tarik Viaer-McClymont capped the surge with a layup, giving the Bison a 30-12 lead with 5:44 left in the half.
The Raiders climbed right back into the contest with three straight 3-pointers in a 90-second span, two from Jon Simon and the last by Andrew Zidar.
With its lead cut to just nine at 30-21, the Bison closed the half on a 7-2 run, highlighted by Charles Lee's off-balance bank shot in the paint at the buzzer.
Bucknell stretched its lead to as many as 21 at 48-27 on McNaughton's free throw with 15:30 to play. Colgate hung around thanks to some good long-range shooting. Three Kyle Roemer treys keyed a 14-4 run that brought the Raiders within 11 at 52-41.
Alvin Reed scored six straight on a 3-point play and a tough 20-foot jumper, and Zidar scored inside to cap a 10-0 run and make it 63-59 with 4:17 left.
McNaughton snapped the spurt with a pair of free throws, but Bucknell missed two crucial front ends of one-and-ones in the next minute. Reed made a free throw and a driving layup to make it 65-62, then after a Lee follow of a Bettencourt miss, Roemer hit another 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 67-65 with 1:55 left.
After McNaughton missed a short jumper, Zidar had a good look at the top of the key but had it rim out and Lee was fouled while corralling the rebound with 29 seconds to play. Lee made both free throws and Colgate missed two long 3-pointers before Dan Gentile's put-back made it 69-67 with 5.6 seconds left.
Bucknell inbounded to Lee who was fouled with 4.4 seconds left, and the Bison co-captain iced it with two more clutch charity tosses. Reed's tip-in at the buzzer made it a two-point final.
Bucknell begins a three-game homestand this Saturday when Army visits Sojka Pavilion for a 7 p.m. tip.
