ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College began Empire 8 Conference play by falling to visiting St. John Fisher 98-68 tonight. The Gators fall to 6-4 overall and 0-1 in the Empire 8, while the Cardinals improve to 8-3 overall and 2-0 in the league. SJFC took a commanding lead at the intermission as they led 62-29 and were paced by the play of 13 different players that scored in the contest. Despite outscoring the Cardinals in the second half, 39-36, the team could not overcome the first half deficit.
Senior forward/center Stuart Phair (Canberra, Australia/Tyler Christian School) moved to No. 2 in the career blocked shots category as he finished the night with five blocked to go with his 14 points. Phair moved ahead of Ryan Sager (76, 2010-2013) to hold down the second position in the category with his 79 blocks. RSC's senior guard Jalon Borders (Bartow, FL/Bartow) added 15 points with four assists in the contest.
SJFC's junior forward Daniel Cook (Honeoye Falls, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) led all players with 19 points and eight boards. Senior Brendan Trapper (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) added 15 points and was 3-5from three-point range, while the team combined to make 12 shots from beyond the arch. Senior guard Sean Williams (New Castle, DE/Sanford School) and senior Ryan Gentile (Rochester, NY/Spencerport) both hauled in 13 points apiece.
Looking ahead, RSC is to host Nazareth tomorrow at 4:00 pm.
Notes: The Gators have 10 players back in the fold this year…Senior guard Jalon Borders (Bartow, FL/Bartow), a two-time first-team All-Empire 8 Conference pick, headlines the group…He passed Jeff Stopera '14 for fifth on the program's career points tonight (868 points)…Next on the list for the senior guard, is Melvin Ford '16 at 976…Senior forward/center Stuart Phair (Canberra, Australia/Tyler Christian School), who ranks second in program annals with 79 career blocks, and senior forward Jason Geronimo (Orlando, FL/Colonial) are captains on the year's team… Geronimo currently ranks seventh in school records with 381
Notes: The Gators have 11 players back in the fold this year…Senior guard Jalon Borders (Bartow, FL/Bartow), a two-time first-team All-Empire 8 Conference pick, headlines the group…He passed Kai Deans '15 for sixth on the program's career points on December 2 vs. SUNY Cobleskill…Next on the list for the senior guard, now with 853 points, is Jeff Stopera '14 at 860…Senior forward/center Stuart Phair (Canberra, Australia/Tyler Christian School), who ranks third in program annals with 73 career blocks, and senior forward Jason Geronimo (Orlando, FL/Colonial) are captains on the year's team… Geronimo currently ranks seventh in school records with 381 career rebounds…Head Coach Brian Barnes, now in his 13th season, added four players to the program.
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