ALBANY, N.Y. - Visiting Saint John Fisher improved to 17-0 in Empire 8 Conference play with this evening's 78-58 win at Russell Sage College.

Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), the reigning E8 Rookie of the Year, topped the Gators with 18 points, while forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season.

St. John Fisher (22-2/17-0 E8) featured a balanced offense in the road victory, with five players scoring in twin figures. Sophomore guard Sidney Tomasso led the way with 19 points, while senior forward Kaitlyn Walker added a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cardinals used a 10-0 first quarter run to head into the intermission ahead 31-21.  RSC battled back to get within five at 40-35 midway through the third period before SJFU regained control on the strength of an 11-2 run spanning 3:28.

Looking ahead, the Gators (15-9/11-6 E8) host Nazareth tomorrow at 2:00 pm. Before the E8 matinee, Russell Sage College Athletics will recognize four student-athletes: guard Lily Batule (Slate Hill, NY/Minisink Valley), guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), guard Renna Poulin (Troy, NY/Tamarac), and forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), for their contributions to the women's basketball program.

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…She scored 32 points, fourth-most in a game by an RSC player, twice this season (1/28, 2/4)…Pasinella became the ninth Gator to score 1,000 career points on Feb. 11 at Medaille…The 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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