NEW LONDON, N.H. — Host Colby-Sawyer College led from the opening tip and defeated the Bates women’s basketball team 65-55 Tuesday evening, in the first meeting between the teams since the 1995-96 season.

Bates (5-10) returns to action at home on Friday at 7pm against Middlebury in the Bobcats’ first NESCAC home game. Williams visits Saturday at 3pm.

In the battle of both sides’ starting lineups, Colby-Sawyer (8-3) outscored Bates 60-53. The Chargers received five points from their bench, while the Bobcats got two.

Bates was led by sophomore Melanie Binkhorst,  who scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and added a game-high four steals. Senior Emily Freedland added a career-high 17 points for the Bobcats. Senior Nina Davenport recorded her third double-double of the season, with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Colby-Sawyer senior Emmani Robinson poured in a career-high 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting to lead all players. Tianna Sugars notched 14 points and a game-best 15 rebounds. Sophomore Lexie Hamilton added 10 points and eight assists, while Amanda Calvo contributed 10 points and three blocks.

Colby-Sawyer began the contest with three buckets by three different players to take a 6-0 lead three minutes into the first quarter. After a Davenport layup got the visitors on the board, the Chargers went in front 9-2 with a Robinson free throw and a jumper by Calvo.

With 2:59 left in the frame, Binkhorst brought Bates to within four after a layup, 13-9, but Colby-Sawyer finished with a 7-1 run capped by a three from Mackenzie Buzzell to take a 20-10 lead after one.

The home team added to its lead in the second after an Alli Barrett three put Colby-Sawyer ahead 32-15 at the 6:14 mark. The Chargers held a double-digit lead throughout the second thanks to 50% shooting from the floor and led 38-23 at the break.

The Chargers outscored Bates 42-20 in the paint and used 13 offensive rebounds to hold a 16-3 advantage in second-chance points.