ALBANY, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College lost its Empire 8 Conference opener to No. 19 St. John Fisher College 62-52 this evening. The Cardinals (10-0/2-0 E8), ranked 19th in the latest WBCA National Poll, used a strong second half to earn the road win on Friday night. The Gators drop to 4-6 overall and 0-1 in the E8.

RSC had a 15-12 lead after the first quarter of play after shooting an impressive 62.5% from the floor (5-8). The Cardinals used a strong second quarter to take a29-26 lead into the locker room.  RSC's senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) had all nine of her points in the first half. SJFC's sophomore guard Claire Kruszka (Lake View, NY/Frontier) had 13 of her 21 points in the first half. She added three baskets from three-point range with three rebounds, two steals and an assist in the first stanza. For the game, she had six rebounds with six steals, three assists and had four three-point baskets. The Cardinals also got eight points and a team-best nine rebounds from senior guard Leah Koonmen (Fairport, NY/Our Lady of Mercy.)

Pasinella surpassed the 600 career point plateau on Friday night and now has 607 on her career with 82 three-point baskets.

Junior guard Renna Poulin (Troy, NY/Tamarac) added six first-half points, while rookie guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) collected four first half points and rebounds for RSC. Poulin finished the evening with a season-best 13 points with two blocks.

RSC pulled within striking distance, down 48-47 as Faraj had an opportunity to tie the game at 5:48 in the fourth quarter with her three point play, but the shot fell off the mark. She finished the night with a double-double on 10 points with 10 rebounds and three assists. She had nine defensive rebounds, while senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) added eight rebounds with four points to go with her two assists and a steal.

Looking ahead, RSC is slated to host Nazareth tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in Robison Gym at the Kahl Campus Center in Empire 8 play.

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