POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist men's basketball team (2-4) earned their first home win of the young season behind a career game from Chavaughn Lewis (Queens, N.Y.). The freshman guard-forward scored 23 points, as well as registered five steals, three rebounds and two assists in the Red Foxes' 81-73 victory. Taking control of the opening tip, the Red Foxes never looked back after netting the first two points of the game and led the entire contest versus Colgate (2-3).

Marist jumped out of the gates fast as redshirt-sophomore Anell Alexis (Hillsborough, N.J.) and freshman Isaiah Morton (Richland, N.J.) contributed nine combined points by the time the first media timeout came around at 14:58. Within that first 5:02 stretch of play, the Red Foxes had managed to build an early 11-7 lead.

Coming out of the timeout a Mike Venezia three-pointer would bring the game to a one-point margin at 11-10 with 14:48 remaining, but that would be as close as the Raiders would get during the first half of play.

Over the next 6:32, Marist would increase its lead to 26-14 on the strength of a 15-4 run. Freshman Manny Thomas (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Lewis highlighted this span of play as they each used their quick hands to steal possession from Colgate and transition down the court where they drew fouls and free trips to the foul line. During this run the Red Foxes would see six of their players register points.

Following a Thomas three-pointer at 4:11, Marist would have their largest lead of the game of 14 with the score 34-20. Colgate quickly responded to this deficit with a 10-2 run to bring the score to within six at 36-30 with 1:27 left to play in the first half.

A fast-break layup by Lewis following a steal and a Devin Price (Inglewood, Calif.) foul shot would close the first half of scoring for Marist. The Red Foxes took a 39-30 lead into the locker room at the break.

Statistically at halftime, eight of the nine Red Foxes, who entered the game, had registered points, as well as rebounds. As a team, Marist was shooting just 35.5 percent (11-31) versus Colgate's 35.3 (12-34), though their prowess at the line played an important role in getting their nine-point lead. Marist was 81.3 percent (13-16) from the line, while the Raiders' perimeter-oriented game saw them earn just four foul shots.

Coming out of the half, the Red Fox offense was a bit slow to find its groove as they came out on their initial possessions and shot a combined 1-4 from the field with three turnovers.  This lull in their game, allowed Colgate to go on a 13-4 run over the first 4:38 of second half play and even the game at 43-43.

Marist's urgency picked up, as they immediately went on a 6-0 run. Lewis led the way with all six of the points, including two baskets coming on the fast break following steals.

Lewis' half dozen points would be a precursor to the next 7:19 of play that the fans at the McCann Arena would see as the young freshman would single-handedly score 10 of his team's next 14 points. In total Lewis scored 16 of the Red Foxes 20 points from 14:58 to 6:13.

Colgate chipped away on the nine point Marist lead with a Pat Moore three pointer at 5:23, but Thomas found Price at the top of the arc for a straight-away three pointer of his own, just 12 seconds later.

Down the stretch, clutch free throw shooting by sophomore Jay Bowie (Tampa, Fla.) (2-2) and Thomas (4-4) would ice the game for the Red Foxes, who earned the 81-73 victory.

The leading stories of the game for Marist when looking at the statistics were their dominance on the boards (a 42-31 advantage in rebounds), their ability to get to the line (a 23-29 to 4-8 advantage) and the outstanding play of their freshmen Lewis and Thomas, who combined for 36 points.

As a team, Marist outshot Colgate 45.6 percent (26-57) versus 43.8 (28-64), though they trailed the Raiders in three point shooting 54.2 percent (13-24) to 35.3 (6-17).

Individually, Lewis led three Red Foxes in double figures with 23 points; Thomas had 13 and Price 12. Sophomore Adam Kemp (Sherril, N.Y.) would pull down a team-high 10 rebounds, while scoring eight. Price led the team with five assists, while Lewis stole the ball from Colgate on five occasions.

Marist will open up the MAAC portion of their schedule with two league games next week. Their first matchup will be on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. when they travel to Baltimore to meet Loyola.