ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, January 29.

Faraj, the reigning E8 Rookie of the Year, registered 27.5 points per-game on 56.3 percent shooting in a 2-0 week.  The sophomore guard, who averaged 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals, in the pair of road E8 wins, established a career-high of 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting in Saturday's victory at Utica. The output was good for fourth-most by an RSC player in a single-game. 

Faraj opens the week as the conference leader in scoring with 19.9 points per-game.  She ranks fifth on the circuit in both rebounding (8.7) and steals per-game (2.2).

Looking ahead, RSC (11-7/7-4 E8) hosts Alfred and Elmira this weekend.

Notes: 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…Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, surpassed 1,000 career collegiate points on Jan. 13 vs. Medaille...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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