Andrew Alekseyenko leads Colgate to 78-59 victory over Bucknell

Freshman forward Andrew Alekseyenko scored a team-high 16 points to lead the Colgate Raiders to a dominant 78-59 victory over the Bucknell Bison at Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, on Monday night. The Patriot League matchup saw Colgate extend its recent run of success by leveraging a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defense to stifle their conference rivals. This victory proved crucial for the Raiders as they look to solidify their standing at the top of the league rankings and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Alekseyenko’s performance was the catalyst for an efficient Colgate offense that found success both in the paint and from beyond the perimeter. Beyond his 16-point contribution, the Raiders benefited from cohesive ball movement and opportunistic scoring transitions that forced Bucknell onto their heels early in the contest. Despite efforts from the Bison to stage a comeback in the second half, Colgate’s discipline at the free-throw line and their ability to limit second-chance points ensured the outcome was never seriously in doubt during the closing minutes. On the defensive end, the Raiders effectively neutralized Bucknell’s primary scoring threats, forcing the Bison into difficult shot selections and high-turnover situations. This defensive intensity transitioned well into fast-break opportunities, allowing Colgate to maintain a double-digit lead for much of the game. For Bucknell, the loss highlights ongoing struggles with consistency and shooting efficiency against high-tier conference opponents. As the season progresses, Colgate appears poised to remain a formidable contender for the Patriot League title, while Bucknell must regroup to improve their postseason aspirations.