ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College hosted Utica College on Tuesday night. The visiting Pioneers (13-2, 4-2 Empire 8) escaped with an 80-71 win over the Gators. RSC is now 6-8 overall and 2-3 in the league.
In a tight-fought contest, Utica held a 46-26 lead at the half before the Gators had a monster third quarter as they outscored the Pioneers, 29-15 and trailed by just six (61-55) through three quarters of play. The Gators pulled within one point, down 68-67 (3:12) as RSC's senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) hit her eighth three-point basket of the night. Utica's graduate player, Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) scored five points in the final 1:29 to lift Utica to the win as the Pioneers made the most of their free throws, converting five of the six they attempted in the last 39.3 seconds of play as the Gators were over the limit.
Pasinella finished with 29 points to tie her own personal best effort and also tied the program's record for most three pointers made in a game with eight. She tied the mark set by Emily Parslow (11/20/18 vs. RPI) with the 8-12 effort from downtown, while going 9-of-15 from the floor and was a perfect 3-3 from the line with four assists and a steal. The 29 points marks the third time the senior guard has achieved the plateau having last achieved the feat on November 10, 2021 against Cazenovia. She had just eight points at the half and added 18 points in the third quarter.
The Gators made a season-best 11 three-point baskets, which ranks fifth all-time in single-game efforts.
Pasinella now has 673 career points including 97 three-point baskets, moving her into the No. 10 spot on the career list. She is just two away from the No. 9 spot held by Carlin DeMarinis (98, 2008-2010), while her 156 career assists is 15th as well now.
Rookie guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS), the reigning Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Week, added 14 points with four rebounds, and five assists. The game marked the third straight double-digit scoring performance for the rookie, who was 2-2 from the line as the Gators converted 8-of-9 free throws for the game.
Senior guard Megan Murray (Watervliet, NY/Watervliet) added 11 points with seven rebounds, while senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) led the Gators on the boards with nine rebounds including six defensive boards.
Utica's senior guard Petrina DeMarco (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) led her team with 20 points with six made three's to go with her six assists and two steals. She had 17 points in the first half to lead Utica at the break. Johndrow tallied 18 points with 10 second-half points for the Pioneers, while senior forward Sydney Przygoda (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) connected for 16 points including 12 in the first half, while sophomore forward Krissy Geraci (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) had a double-double with 10 points and a team-best 12 rebounds.
Looking ahead, RSC is scheduled to host Keuka College in an Empire 8 contest on January 21 at 5:30 p.m. in Robison Gym in the Kahl Campus Center.
Notes: Freshman guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) was named the E8 Rookie of the Week on Monday…She averaged 13.5 points on 42.9 percent shooting in the 2-0 week…Sanderson, who has scored in twin figures in four straight games, established a career-high of 17 points on Saturday at Houghton… Senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) has registered a double-double in three of the past five games...Eight returnees plus six newcomers comprise this year's roster...Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), who was named first-team All-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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