ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College defeated visiting Alfred 71-46 in the first round of the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament this evening.
The Gators (17-9), which shot 48.1 percent from the field, outscored the Saxons 19-5 in the second quarter to take control of the game.
Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, registered a double-double of 30 points, a collegiate career-high, on 13-of-18 shooting and 10 rebounds. The transfer, now with 13 double-doubles, recorded 20 of her points in the first half to help RSC, seeded third, hold a 34-19 lead at the break. The 30 points tied for sixth among Gators for most points in a single-game.
Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), the reigning E8 Rookie of the Year, tossed in 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting and eight rebounds, while senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) added 11 points. Each Gator that scored in twin figures dished out four assists apiece.
Junior guard Leah Harkenrider topped Alfred (15-10), the six seed, with 15 points.
RSC, which went 12-3 at home on the year, plays Nazareth, the two seed, in the semifinals on Friday night. Top-seeded Saint John Fisher will host the semis and final.
Notes: The Gators are making their third appearance in the E8 Championship Tournament…RSC reached the semifinals last season and the championship game in 2020…Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) entered the playoffs as the conference's leading scorer with 20.0 points per-game…The 2021-22 E8 Rookie of the Year ranked fifth in rebounding and in field goal percentage…Faraj eclipsed 500 career points on Dec. 29 vs. Rhode Island College…She scored 32 points, fifth-most in a game by an RSC player, twice this season (1/28, 2/4)…Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, filled up the box score this season…She began the postseason ranked third in the E8 in scoring (15.4), second in rebounding (10.1), and third in both blocks per-game (1.3) and assists per-game (3.6)…Pritchard, who registered 12 double-doubles during the regular season, surpassed 1,000 career collegiate points on Jan. 13 vs. Medaille...Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) 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…Head coach Allison Coleman, in her ninth season at the helm, sports an overall record of 135-83…She secured her 125th career victory on Dec. 3, 2022 vs. Keuka.
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