HAMILTON, N.Y.-- Kyle Roemer scored 25 points to lead Colgate in a 54-40 win over Bucknell Sunday in the Patriot League tournament's semifinal round.
The Raiders (18-13) advance to the championship game for the first time since the 1996 season, when they won the second of their three straight championship appearances.
Colgate will play for the championship Friday, March 14 at top-seeded American University in Washington, D.C.
The Eagles advanced to the title game with a 72-60 win over Army.
Colgate wins its sixth straight game to tie the school record for victories in a season with 18.
Kendall Chones tallied 11 points for the Raiders.
Justin Castleberry led Bucknell (12-19) with 12 points and Darren Mastropaolo with 11 points and six boards.
The Raider defense frustrated Bucknell in the opening 20 minutes, forcing the Bison into 14 turnovers. Bucknell shot just 23.1 percent from the floor and did not make a single three-pointer in scoring only 10 points in the first half.
Colgate had just one turnover in the first half and shot 48 percent from the floor and 50 percent from long range.
