ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) was voted the Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year. The freshman also earned second-team All-E8 honors, as bestowed by the conference's head coaches. 

Faraj averages 13.7 points on 39.4 percent shooting and 7.9 rebounds. She's netted 25+ points on four occasions, including a season high 30 in a November win vs. Albertus Magnus, and registered ten double-doubles. Her efforts garnered her four E8 Rookie of the Week selections.

"Being named the Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year is a great honor for Syrita and our program," said Head Coach Allison Coleman. "Syrita put together a great opening campaign during her first year in a Gator uniform and I am excited to see what she, and the team, are able to do moving forward throughout her career here at Russell Sage."

Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) also made the second-team. The threat from downtown, who has knocked down 36.1 percent of her three-point attempts, records 12.3 points and 3.2 assists on a regular basis. She scored 29 points twice this season, including when she equaled a program record with eight made three-pointers on January 18 vs. Utica.

Rounding out the Gators recognized by the E8 was junior guard Renna Poulin (Troy, NY/Tamarac), who represented the program on the E8 Sportswomen of the Year Team. She averaged 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists during the regular season.

The trio helped RSC (13-13) qualify for the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament. The Gators, seeded fifth, won 72-56 at Utica, the four seed, in the first round last night. RSC plays at St. John Fisher, ranked #20 in the latest WBCA National Poll and the bracket's top seed, in the Semifinals on Friday. 

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