Albany, NY –The Sage College's women's basketball team hosted the Dolphins of the College of Mt. St. Vincent on Saturday afternoon in Kahl Gym in a Skyline Conference contest. Sage triumphed 66-65 as senior center Amie Jefferson (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) hit a pair of free throws at 0:06 to give the Gators the win. Sage improves to 10-5 overall and 5-2 in the league, while CMSV is now 13-4 overall and 4-2 in the league.
CMSV led 38-28 at the break as the Dolphins held Sage to just 31.0% shooting from the floor (9-29), while hitting 50.0% from three-point range (6-12). Junior Theresa Carey (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) and sophomore guard Brittany Carroll (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) both had eight points at the half for CMSV.
After CMSV jumped out to a 14-point lead, 44-30 at 18:30, the Gators roared back and tied the action at 53-53 with 7:44 left to play. Pacing Sage in the run with three point buckets were sophomore Frankie Pearson (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) with a pair, while seniors Krysta Vanacore (Poughquag, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) and Megan Bowman (Dannemora, NY/Saranac) each hit from downtown.
Sage went up by five points (58-53, 6:49) but CMSV worked their way and the game was tied twice more before CMSV went up by one, 65-64 at 1:18 as junior Nicole Oliver (Carmel, NY/Carmel) hit a layup.
A pair of Sage shots were off the mark but the Gators got the rebounds before Jefferson was fouled at 0:06 and went to the line to shoot two, sinking both and tying the action for the seventh time and then giving Sage a 66-65 lead.
For the game, Jefferson added a double-double with her 12 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocked shots, while Bowman added 17 points with six assists and three steals. Pearson finished with 13 points, while junior Sara Tironi (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge Central) added 10 points.
Bowman passed the 900 career point plateau in the contest and now has 910 career points now has 893 points and is the No. 5 all-time scorer for the Gators. Bowman has also racked up 400 career assists and is just three shy or breaking the all-time mark of 402 currently held by Karen Harris (402, 1991-1995). Bowman also has 221 steals, good enough for the No. 3 spot on the Sage career list. Jefferson now has 708 career rebounds and is No. 2 at Sage in rebounding. She has also contributed 563 career points and holds the program's career block mark as well with 147.
CMSV's Carey finished with 16 points, while Carroll added 11 points with three three-point baskets. Senior center Kelly Fraser (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) added 13 points with a team-best eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Sage returns to action on February 2 hosting Bard College at 6 p.m. in a non-conference match-up. The College of Mt. St. Vincent is back in action on February 3 hosting Farmingdale State at 7 p.m. in a Skyline Conference contest.
