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HAMILTON, N.Y. -- Behind big games from seniors Clare Fitzpatrick and Spencer Lane and junior Allyson DiMagno, Cornell rallied from a late six-point deficit to win its season opener with a 69-65 victory over Colgate on Friday evening at Cotterell Court. It is Cornell's first win in a season opener since 2004.

Fitzpatrick posted 19 points, DiMagno added a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double and Spencer Lane recorded 13 points and four steals as Cornell rallied from a six-point deficit with just over three minutes to play to pick up the win. Shelby Lyman was the fourth Cornell player in double figures with 13 points and five rebounds. The Big Red shot 47 percent from the floor and held a 37-30 edge on the backboards to help overcome 22 turnovers.

Colgate was also balanced up and down the lineup, with six players scoring at least seven points in the loss. Both Missy Repoli (11) and Josie Stockill (10) reached double figures in scoring, but former Patriot League Rookie of the Year Jhazmine Lynch was limited to eight points on 1-of-11 shooting with six turnovers. The Raiders connected on just under 40 percent from the floor and was held to 5-of-16 from beyond the 3-point arc (31 percent). Colgate was credited with 13 steals, including four apiece for Lynch and Carole Harris.

Trailing 61-55 with just over three minutes to play, Cornell made its move. DiMagno hit a pair of free throws, followed by a basket for Fitzpatrick to get the visitors back within 61-59. After a defensive stop, Fitzpatrick was fouled going to the hole and converted the basket and the foul for a three-point play, putting Cornell back into the lead with 1:46 remaining. DiMagno made a shot on the next Big Red possession to close out the decisive 10-0 run. Mariah Jones hit a pair of free throws for the Raiders to get the home team back within a basket, but Lane drove the lane for a layup to make it 67-63, and after another defensive stop, DiMagno put the game away at the line with a pair of makes from the charity stripe with 20 seconds left.

Cornell ran out of the gates to a 13-5 lead, but once Colgate settled down, neither team would separate themselves again the rest of the way. The Big Red took a 29-28 edge into the break and led by as many as seven in the second half (53-46) after six straight points by Fitzpatrick gave the Big Red some breathing room with under 10 minutes to play. Colgate was able to regain momentum and ultimately took the lead before the Big Red's late rally.

The Big Red opens its home schedule when it faces Fordham on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Newman Arena in Bartels Hall.