ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College cruised to an 86-64 home Empire 8 Conference victory vs. Medaille this evening in the Kahl Campus Center.

The Gators (8-5/4-2 E8), which had four players score in twin figures, used a 31-6 first half run spanning 9:30 to take control of the E8 contest.

Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) topped all players with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. The reigning E8 Rookie of the Year tallied 18 of her points in the first half to help RSC lead 42-28 at the break.   The Gators, which led by as many as 32, held a double-digit advantage for the final 30:47. 

Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, who recorded her seventh double-double of the season, hit a career milestone in the E8 win.

The transfer totaled 21 points on 50.0 percent shooting to pass the 1,000 career collegiate points mark and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) added 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while sophomore guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) registered 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, eight assists, and three blocks.

Junior guard Shyanne Trinh, one of four Mavericks in double figures, paced Medaille (3-8/1-4 E8) with 20 points.

Looking ahead, RSC finishes up a stretch of three-straight home games on Saturday afternoon vs. Houghton.  The E8 matinee is set to begin at 2:00 pm.

Notes: Freshman guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) was selected the E8 Rookie of the Week on Monday…She averaged 13.0 points across a pair of contests…The Gators are coming off a semifinal appearance in the E8 Conference Championship Tournament…11 players returned from the team…Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) and senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) highlighted the group…Faraj, the 2021-22 E8 Rookie of the Year, surpassed 500 career points on Dec. 29 vs. Rhode Island College…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.

#SageNation