HAMILTON, N.Y. - On Wednesday evening, four Leopards scored in double figures to hand Colgate its first Patriot League loss on Cotterell Court, 69-64, since Jan. 3, 2021.

The Maroon and White are now 3-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Lafayette shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half on its way to a 25-of-52 overall shooting night. The Leopards led for the entire 40 minutes. 

Freshman Mark Butler scored a team-high 14 points to go along with three assists and two rebounds in 28 minutes of play. Junior captain Justin Vander Baan filled the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals and an assist. Junior guard Devin Hines and lone sophomore Ryan Pettit each cleaned up with 12 points, with Pettit delivering two crucial three-pointers in the second half. 

The Leopards held an early advantage at the 12-minute mark, leading the Raiders 12-9, thanks to an opening 3-pointer by senior Eric Sondberg. Lafayette's offense powered through to the next media timeout, posting an 8-2 run for a 20-11 advantage. Four different players netted two points in the spurt by 7:34.

Hines added four of Lafayette's next eight points to get to the two-minute mark, continuing to lead 28-17.

Colgate's Keegan Records retaliated with five points of his own, but a 3-pointer by Vander Baan secured a 31-22 halftime lead for Lafayette. The Leopards held Colgate scoreless from beyond the arc in the first half, as the Raiders shot 0-for-7.

The Raiders came out strong from the break, pulling as close as 33-31 at 17:03. Nicolas Louis-Jacques knocked down a 3-pointer to lead four other Colgate free throw scorers.

The Maroon and White went on a 12-9 run thereafter, staying afloat at 45-40 at the 10-minute mark. Kyle Jenkins tallied five points, including a 3-pointer at 11:54 to negate Colgate's Braeden Smith's own just 17 seconds prior.

Vander Baan recorded his second shot from beyond the arc at 3:45, keeping the Leopards out front, 59-51.

Pettit's 3-pointer at 2:10 paired well with the team's goal of locking down rebounds in the last two minutes. Lafayette struggled defensively in the final minute when Colgate attempted a sharp comeback, releasing an 11-1 outburst over 54 seconds. Braeden Smith's 3-pointer and a pair of free throws pushed three other Raiders to take two points each.

The 69-64 victory was ultimately secured with one free throw apiece by Vander Baan (0:12) and Hines (0:03).

Colgate also fielded four players in double figures, led by Ryan Moffatt's 17 points and 11 rebounds. The fifth-year forward and classmate Records (13 points, 10 rebounds) both claimed double-doubles.

The Maroon and White held their opponent to 37.7 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3-point range overall. The Raiders out-rebounded the Leopards 41-33, including a 14-7 margin on the offensive glass. 

In the series, Colgate was last defeated at home by the 2019-20 Leopard squad, who earned an 80-78 win on Jan. 29, 2020.

Lafayette is set host Navy on Saturday at 2 p.m. to benefit Paulie's Promise, supporting Paul Morris and his campaign with the Autism Science Foundation.

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on X @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.