Colgate Edges Boston University 80-79 in Thrilling Contest

Colgate's Jalen Cox stole the show at Cotterell Court, leading his team to a narrow 80-79 victory over Boston University. Cox's impressive performance, which included 23 points and 5 assists, was the difference-maker in a game that saw both teams trade blows throughout. The Raiders' win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a 5.5-point margin of victory for Colgate, and although the actual margin was much slimmer, the prediction ultimately proved correct.

The first half saw Boston University take a 30-27 lead into the break, with Chance Gladden already making his presence felt. Gladden would go on to finish with 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Raiders. Sam Wright chipped in with 22 points and 6 rebounds, while Kyle Carlesimo added 13 points to help Colgate's cause. The Raiders' offense was clicking on all cylinders in the second half, as they outscored the Terriers 39-36 to set up a thrilling finish.

As the clock wound down, both teams made big plays, but it was Colgate who emerged victorious. The Raiders' ability to close out the game was a reflection of their resilience and determination. With the win, Colgate improves to 12-9 on the season, while Boston University falls to 8-13.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. However, Colgate's depth and balance ultimately was the deciding factor. The Raiders had three players score in double figures, while the Terriers relied heavily on the scoring prowess of Gladden and Michael McNair, who added 20 points.

The victory is a Quadrant 4 win for Colgate, which may not carry significant weight in terms of tournament resume building. However, it is still an important win for the Raiders, who are looking to build momentum as the season enters its final stretch. For Boston University, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat, which won't hurt their tournament chances too much, but it's still a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a team ranked higher in the net rankings.

As it stands, Colgate's tournament chances are still on the outside looking in, but a strong finish to the season could change that. The Raiders must continue to win games like this one, where they face teams with lower net rankings, to build a credible case for a postseason berth. For now, they can celebrate a hard-fought win, thanks in large part to the outstanding performance of Jalen Cox. The Raiders want to carry this momentum forward as they continue their pursuit of a tournament spot.