Albany, NY – Sage's women's basketball team hosted the Cardinals of St. John Fisher College on Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 contest that pitted two of the league's unbeaten teams against one another. SJFC emerged with a 59-58 win over Sage to improve to 11-4 overall and 4-0 in the league. Sage drops to 8-8 overall and 4-4 in the league as their four-game win streak was halted.
SJFC's sophomore forward Ella Eckert (East Amherst, NY/Clarence) sunk one of two free throws with 3.5 seconds left to break a 58-58 tie and giver her Cardinals the come from behind win as they trailed 25-18 at the half. Eckert finished with a game-high 25 points with seven rebounds. She made 9-of-11 shots from the free throw line and added two blocks in the contest. Sophomore forward Julia Mertsock (Castile, NY/Letchworth) picked up 10 points with eight rebounds including seven defensive caroms.
Sage's sophomore guard Sammy Pasinella (Troy, NY/Mechanicville) added 24 points with four assists, two blocks and steal to lead the Gators.
Sage's sophomore guard Meghan Murray (Watervliet, NY/Watervliet) added eight points and six boards off the bench for the Gators in the contest.
The Gators will be in action on January 24 travelling to Alfred University for a 7:30 p.m. E8 contest, while St. John Fisher College hosts Elmira College in a 7:30 Empire 8 home contest also on Jan. 24.
