Colgate University used a season-best shooting performance to spoil the 2009 home-opener for North Carolina Central University on Tuesday night, as the visiting Raiders beat the Eagles 68-58 inside McLendon-McDougald Gym.

Colgate (4-9) tickled the twine to the tune of 56.1 percent, connecting on 23-of-41 from the field, while also hitting 20-of-28 free throws (71.4 percent). The Raiders shot better than 50 percent in only one other game this season, making 22-of-42 from the floor during a 65-60 win over Dartmouth on Nov. 22.

On the other end of the court, NCCU (0-17) made only 36.4 percent of its field goal attempts (20-of-55), including a dismal 3-for-17 shooting from three-point range (17.6 percent).

Those numbers told the whole story.

The rebounding battle was nearly even, with Colgate edging the Eagles on the boards, 31-30.

NCCU committed only 10 turnovers, while forcing 16 miscues by the Raiders.

Three Colgate student-athletes posted double figures in the scoring column, topped by Ben Jonson's game-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds. Jonson hit 7-of-11 from the floor, including a three-pointer, while making 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. Alex Woodhouse added 11 points and Yaw Gyawu came off the Raider bench for 10 points.

NCCU was led by freshman guard Jamar Briscoe with 15 points, while senior guard Bryan Ayala collected 13 points and four steals.

NCCU returns home on Saturday (Jan. 10) to host Chicago State at 7:30 p.m.