ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College used an 18-3 second half run spanning the third and fourth stanzas to defeat visiting Utica 78-65 this evening.

The Gators, which shot 56.7 percent from the field during the final 20 minutes, including 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, had four players score in twin figures.

Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, led the way with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The transfer, who scored 18 of her points after the break, contributed eight boards, six assists and four blocks to help the Gators win their Empire 8 Conference opener.

Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), the reigning E8 Rookie of the Year, added a double-double of 14 points and 19 rebounds.

Freshman guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) scored a career-high 16, while senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) recorded 10 points.  Acosta and Pasinalla each dished out four assists.

The Gators (5-1/1-0 E8) started quickly, making six of their first nine field goal attempts to get out to a 16-9 advantage. The Pioneers battled back, closing the opening quarter on a 12-5 run to head into the locker room knotted at 30. Acosta topped all participants with nine first-half points.

Up 56-51 going into the final period, RSC scored 10 of the first 12 fourth-quarter points, increasing its lead to a dozen. Utica (4-2/0-1 E8) faced a double-digit deficit for the final 8:20.

Guard/forward Kimberly Soriano, a grad student, paced the Pioneers with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

RSC continues E8 play on Saturday at 2:00 pm vs. Keuka.

Notes: The Gators are coming off a semifinal appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament…11 players returned from the team…Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) and senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) highlight the group…Faraj was voted the 2021-22 E8 Rookie of the Year, while Pasinella, a two-time All-Conference selection, opened the season ranked sixth in program records with 120 career made three-pointers…Head coach Allison Coleman began her ninth season at the helm with an overall record of 119-74.   

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