ALBANY, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College won its home opener 62-56 tonight against SUNY-Cobleskill. The Gators (4-3) were paced by the play of rookie Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) as she finished with her third double-double of the year, adding 21 points with a career-high 18 rebounds.

RSC held a 34-28 lead at the half before the two teams were tied at 45-45 at the end of the third quarter. The Gators held the Fighting Tigers to 11 fourth quarter points after limiting them to 17.6% shooting from the floor in the stanza (3-17).

Junior guard Renna Poulin (Troy, NY/Tamarac) and rookie guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) each finished with 10 points, while senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) added a career-best 16 rebounds with six points and a block. The Gators dominated on the boards with a 66-50 edge and went to the line 34 times and held the lead for 28:31 in the contest.

SUNY Cobleskill (3-5) got 18 points from newcomer Annie Canales (North Adams, MA/Hoosac Valley) as she made six three-pointers with five rebounds and a steal. Sophomore forward Anna Post (Bovina, Center, NY/Delaware Academy) picked up seven points and was one of four players with six rebounds apiece.

Looking ahead, RSC hosts Mount Saint Mary College on Tuesday, December 7 at 5:30 pm.

Notes: After starting the season with six road games, RSC plays its next two contests at home…Former Gator Megan Bowman '15, one of eight RSC players to score 1,000 career points, is in her third season at the helm of the Fighting Tigers…Nine returnees plus six newcomers comprise this year's roster...Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), who was named first-team All-Empire 8 Conference last season, headlines the group of returnees...Head Coach Allison Coleman, now in her eighth season, began the campaign with a 106-60 (.639) overall record.

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