SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Russell Sage College traveled to Skidmore College on Wednesday night for a non-conference match-up with the Thoroughbreds. Skidmore (3-0) posted the 68-61 win to remain perfect on the young season, while the loss puts RSC at 2-2.
The Gators held a 25-21 lead at the half but the Thoroughbreds used a strong third quarter scoring 28 points to take the lead and pull away from the Gators after shooting 50.0% from the floor in the stanza (10-20) and 6-6 from the free throw line. RSC led 41-38 with 2:28 left in the third before Amelia Medolla hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 2:01 and Maddie Hastings made a pair of free throws to give Skidmore the 43-41 lead. Skidmore led by as many as 10 points (64-54 in 4th) before the Gators pulled within three points down 64-61 as rookie guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) hit the first of two free throws with 0:27 left to play.
For the game, RSC's senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was the team's high scorer as she finished with 26 points and made six three-point baskets. Sophomore forward Savannah Sommer (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) added nine points with five rebounds. Freshman guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) finished with six points and six rebounds for the Gators.
Skidmore's Kate McCarney added 22 points and Julia Blank had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Thoroughbreds.
Looking ahead, Sage competes on Friday and Saturday at the Wesleyan University Tournament. The Gators will open play taking on Albertus Magnus College on Friday night at 8 p.m.
Notes: Faraj was named the Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday...She averaged 15.7 points, on 51.6 percent shooting, and 6.7 rebounds last week...Nine returnees plus six newcomers comprise this year's roster...Pasinella was named first-team All-E8 last season...Head Coach Allison Coleman, now in her eighth season, began the campaign with a 106-60 (.639) overall record.
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