ALBANY, N.Y. – Playing for the first time in 26 days, and in Albany compared to the originally planned trip to Puerto Rico, Russell Sage College had its four-game winning streak come to an end with tonight's 63-49 loss to visiting Rhode Island College inside the Kahl Campus Center.
Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), who surpassed 500 career points in the non-conference setback, topped all participants with 22 points. Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
Rhode Island College (9-2), now winners of eight in-a-row, shot 61.5 percent in the first quarter to take a 20-12 lead.
The Anchorwomen extended their advantage in the second period, outscoring RSC 15-4 in the frame to go into the break up 35-16. RSC, kept off the board for a 5:39 span during the second stanza, was held to 6-of-27 shooting in the opening 20 minutes. The Gators were held to 16-of-60 shooting on the night.
Down 50-30 going to the fourth, RSC (6-2) opened the period on a 13-5 run to cut their deficit to 12 with 3:50 left. RIC sophomore guard Dejah Middleton answered with back-to-back layups to stem the Gator momentum.
Senior guard Antonia Corsinetti topped the Anchorwomen with 14 points, while sophomore guard Madison Medbury added ten.
RSC, which got off to its best start since 1988-89, closes 2022 on Saturday afternoon vs. Bates. The non-conference contest is set to begin at 1:00 pm. RIC looks to extend its winning streak to nine against Bates on Friday at 2:00 pm in the Kahl Campus Center.
Notes: The Gators began the 1976-77 campaign at 5-0...Pritchard was named the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week on December 5...She averaged 19.5 points on 59.0 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds, 6.33 assists, 1.33 blocks, and 1.33 steals across a 3-0 week...Pritchard totaled 44 points on 72.7 percent shooting, 18 rebounds, 13 assists, four blocks, and four steals to help RSC open E8 play with a pair of home wins on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3...The Gators are coming off a semifinal appearance in the E8 Conference Championship Tournament…11 players returned from the team…Faraj and senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) highlighted the group…Faraj, now with 511 career points, 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…She secured her 125th career victory on Dec. 3, 2022 vs. Keuka.
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